Overdose of nitroglycerin: effects, first aid, lethal dose

What can be threatened with an overdose of nitroglycerin? The consequences of uncontrolled intake of this drug will be presented below. Also you will learn about the purposes for which this medication is used, and whether it has side effects.

Basic information

How does an overdose occur? Nitroglycerin is the most important drug that is available in almost every home medicine cabinet. Many people with a sick heart take it uncontrollably. As a result, they suffer even more, as an overdose occurs.

Nitroglycerin is a kind of ambulance that our heart needs as air. Without any exaggeration, we can say that this drug has saved more than one life. Everyone knows that after taking it inside, you almost immediately feel relief. But, unfortunately, not everyone thinks about the possible consequences that arise after excessive use of this medication.

Experts argue that some urgent conditions require repeated use of this medication. Can an overdose develop in this case? Nitroglycerin, taken in large quantities, really causes serious complications. Moreover, sometimes such uncontrolled administration of the drug leads even to a fatal outcome.

For what purpose do they use it?

What is nitroglycerin? Instructions for use (tablets with this name are sold in all pharmacies) claims that this is a fairly popular drug that belongs to the group of vasodilators, that is, substances that dilate the blood vessels. It is actively used in cardiological practice, and sometimes in gastroenterology. So what does the drug in question do?

Mechanism of action

Nitroglycerin well helps the heart. It is able to expand the vessels, and also increase the flow of oxygen. This is why this remedy is often used for angina pectoris, that is, a disease characterized by the appearance of pain in the heart muscle due to lack of air. Can an overdose occur in this case? Nitroglycerin can be addictive. Therefore, over time, the patient's body adapts to the prescribed dosage, and the drug has to be taken in larger quantities. This state of affairs often leads to the development of complications.

At what other diseases does the drug in question help? Experts argue that this tool is often used in diseases of the biliary tract, as it relaxes muscles of the gastrointestinal tract well.

It should also be noted that sometimes nitroglycerin is used for embolism (i.e., blockage) of the central artery of the retina of the optic.

Safe doses

In what dosage should I take nitroglycerin? The lethal dose of this drug is indicated below. As for the standard dosage of medication, which is most often recommended to patients, it is 1-2 tablets per day. If this agent was purchased in the form of a solution, then it is taken in an amount of 4 drops per day.

In this dose, nitroglycerin is not harmful. But the patient should slightly increase the dosage - and the drug immediately contributes to the development of side effects.

Also it should be said that critical concentrations of this remedy immediately cause poisoning. As a rule, it comes already when you use about 25-50 mg of this substance.

It should also be noted that nitroglycerin is fairly easily absorbed through the skin. Therefore, when accidentally ingested on the body, its toxic effect manifests itself very quickly.

Nitroglycerin: a lethal dose

Taking what dosage of the drug can lead to death? Experts say that the lethal dose of this substance varies between 100-150 mg per 1 kg of the patient's weight.

As you know, nitroglycerin is very often taken by older people. This is due to the fact that this category of patients complains of constant pain in the heart, and suffers from a memory disorder. That is why an overdose of a medicine often happens due to violations of banal safety rules and elementary forgetfulness, especially if the substance was purchased in the form of an oral solution.

Contraindications to admission

When should I not prescribe nitroglycerin? Instructions for use (tablets and oral drops have the same inhibitions) speaks of the following contraindications:

• Increased intracranial pressure;
• Myocardial infarction (in acute period);
• The presence of glaucoma;
• Decreased blood pressure;
• Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels (expressed);
• Period of pregnancy, child age and lactation.

Side effects of nitroglycerin in case of an overdose

What side effects can develop after misusing the drug in question? Experts say the following adverse reactions:

• Pronounced general weakness;
• Blurred vision;
• dizziness;
• Severe headache, especially in the first days of admission;
• An allergy manifested in the form of urticaria;
• Shock (in especially severe cases);
• A sharp drop in blood pressure;
• Face redness.

Consequences of an overdose

It is not a secret to anyone that large doses of drugs do not benefit anyone. And nitroglycerin is no exception. When taking a large amount of the drug, its side reactions do not take long to wait. As a rule, they are expressed in the following:

• Blue lips, palms and nail plates;
• Nausea, dry mouth and vomiting;
• Dizziness, loss of consciousness, severe weakness and shortness of breath;
• Increase in body temperature, development of seizures, increased intracranial pressure ;
• Orthostatic collapse.

Lethal outcome after an overdose of nitroglycerin occurs within 2 minutes after taking the drug at a dosage of 210 mg / kg.

First aid

What if the patient took a high dose of a drug like nitroglycerin? Assistance with overdose should be given promptly. If you can not cope with the consequences of uncontrolled use of medication in the near future, it can lead to complications or even death.

So what to do with an overdose of nitroglycerin? To do this, experts recommend the following rules:

• Immediately stop accessing the drug in the patient's body.
• If the solution accidentally gets on the skin, then they must be rinsed immediately.
• When poisoning with oral tablets should bring the victim to a horizontal position, as well as raise his legs.
• In case of an overdose of nitroglycerin, it is necessary to provide a person with oxygen. In the event that he is in a stuffy room, he should be taken out into the street.
• Prior to the arrival of emergency medical care, it is allowed to rinse the stomach with the victim using saline or warm water.
• Antidote for nitroglycerin is absent. To prevent a sharp drop in pressure, the patient is given caffeine. Also in the hospital often use plazmozameschayuschie and methylene blue solutions.

Let's sum up the results

Now you know that nitroglycerin not only helps the patient, but can also harm him. A purposeful or accidental increase in the dose of this medication often results in the onset of temporary rash on the skin, as well as fatal. In addition, as a result of a sharp decrease in pressure, the kidneys can refuse the patient. In this regard, additional control over the correct intake of nitroglycerin will never interfere.