Nitrate Vasodilator: Nitroglycerin
QUESTION
Assessment Description
Select a medication used for the treatment of dyslipidemia or angina. Share the mechanism of action of this medication and hints for monitoring, side effects, and drug interactions, including CAM, of which one should be aware. In addition, share a time when the use of this medication resulted in a positive or negative outcome in a patient for whom you were caring. Include the name of the medication in the subject line so that the medications can be followed. Include references using APA format.
Nitrate Vasodilator: Nitroglycerin
ANSWER
Topic 6 DQ 2
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Topic 6 DQ 2
Nitroglycerin is a nitrate vasodilator indicated for the treatment or prevention of angina, control of acute coronary syndrome and heart failure, and treatment or control of hypertension (Kim et al., 2021). Mechanism of Action: Nitroglycerin is converted into nitric oxide, which activates the enzyme guanylyl cyclase that converts GTP to GMP. The latter activates many phosphorylations that depend on protein kinase, resulting in activities that dephosphorylate myosin light chains within smooth muscle fibers. This activity causes smooth muscle relaxation, an effect called vasodilation (“Nitroglycerin,” 2022). Monitoring: There is no test to monitor the drug’s level as it reaches half-life within two to three minutes of intravenous and six minutes of sublingual administration. Monitor intravenous administration using real-time pressure monitoring and vital signs (Kim et al., 2021). Sublingual administration tested by resolution of symptoms. Side effects include dizziness, weakness, headaches, nausea, palpitations, vertigo, and diaphoresis.
Drug interactions: Nitroglycerin interacts with many drugs; however, Riociguat, Ergotamine, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors like avanafil are all contraindicated. The drug also interacts with cysteine to increase the risk of side effects and extremely low blood pressure. Patients should avoid alcohol (University of Illinois, 2021). Positive or negative experience with nitroglycerin: This author has experience with patients taking nitroglycerin, resulting in positive and negative outcomes. A patient suffering from a heart attack had nitroglycerin to go home with. She suffered side effects of intense headaches and refused to take the medication as prescribed, but the doctor insisted. The medication is available as a tablet. She did not understand why the tablet could not be broken in half and staggered after thirty minutes, given that she tried it like that and it helped to reduce the side effects. Another patient had to use the tablets thrice three years since the prescription. He used the tablet and recovered before he got to three.
References
Kim, K. H., Kerndt, C. C., Adnan, G., & Schaller, D. J. (2021, July 18). Nitroglycerin – StatPearls – NCBI bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482382/
Nitroglycerin. (2022, June 4). DrugBank Online | Detailed Drug and Drug Target Information. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00727
University of Illinois. (2021, August 4). Nitroglycerin: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/nitroglycerin-sublingual-tablet#interactions
Nitrate Vasodilator: Nitroglycerin