Nitrostat® Sublingual Tablets for Acute Angina Relief

What Nitrostat® Is and How It Works

Nitrostat® is a brand of nitroglycerin sublingual tablets used for fast relief of chest pain (angina). It works by relaxing blood vessels and reducing the heart’s oxygen demand. Common strengths include 0.3 mg, 0.4 mg, and 0.6 mg. Many patients rely on Nitrostat 0.4 mg for on-the-spot treatment during an angina episode, and some use a dose before exertion that may trigger symptoms.

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Nitroglycerin converts to nitric oxide in vascular smooth muscle. This triggers cyclic GMP-mediated vasodilation, which lowers preload and myocardial wall stress. The result is rapid symptom relief and improved exercise tolerance. Nitrostat® is taken under the tongue (sublingual) or placed in the buccal pouch to dissolve and enter the bloodstream quickly. Use is on an as-needed basis for acute angina or shortly before activities known to provoke chest discomfort.

These tablets are not intended for continuous prevention of angina. Long-acting nitrates or other antianginal agents serve that role. Nitrostat® is a short-acting rescue option that is easy to carry and use when symptoms start.

Dosage and Usage

• At the first sign of angina, place one Nitrostat® sublingual tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve. Do not chew or swallow.
• If symptoms persist after 5 minutes, a second tablet may be taken. A third tablet can be taken after another 5 minutes if needed.
• Seek urgent medical help if pain continues after 3 tablets or 15 minutes, or if pain is severe or different from usual angina.
• For predictable exertional angina, one tablet may be used 5 to 10 minutes before activity.
• Typical strengths include Nitrostat 0.3 mg sublingual, Nitrostat 0.4 mg sublingual tablet, and Nitrostat 0.6 mg; follow the prescribed strength and instructions.
• Place the tablet under the tongue or between the cheek and gum. Minimize talking and avoid eating, drinking, or smoking until it dissolves.
• If the mouth is very dry, a sip of water may help moisten the area before dosing.
• Patients are often advised to sit or rest during dosing due to the risk of dizziness or fainting.
• Missed dose: This product is taken as needed. Do not take extra tablets unless directed.

• Store tablets in the original amber glass bottle with the cap tightly closed.
• Protect from light, heat, and moisture. Do not transfer tablets to pill organizers or plastic bags.
• Recommended storage is 20–25°C (68–77°F); brief excursions 15–30°C (59–86°F) are usually acceptable.
• Keep away from bathrooms and kitchens where humidity is high.
• For travel, carry the original bottle on your person, not in checked luggage or a hot glove compartment.
• Keep a spare bottle in a cool, dry place and check expiry dates regularly.

Benefits and Savings

Nitrostat® provides rapid relief, often within minutes. The sublingual route bypasses the gut and first-pass metabolism, leading to quick onset when symptoms begin. The small, portable bottle fits easily in a pocket or bag. For many people, Nitrostat 0.4 mg tablet offers reliable angina control during daily activities and allows confident planning around exertion.

You can compare Nitrostat price and the cost of nitroglycerin sublingual tablets across strengths to fit your prescription. Ordering Nitrostat online from YouDrugstore helps many customers save 60–80% versus typical U.S. prices. Multi-month supplies, where appropriate, may lower the per-month Nitrostat cost, and optional reorder reminders can help maintain an on-hand reserve. If looking at nitroglycerin sublingual tablets price, check brand versus generic availability as permitted by your prescription.

Patients who prefer a tablet format over sprays or powders often choose Nitrostat®. Those seeking a simple “nitrostat pill” for angina episodes value its familiarity and the broad availability of nitroglycerin sublingual tablets 0.4 mg.

Side Effects and Safety

• Headache
• Flushing or warmth
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Low blood pressure
• Fast heartbeat
• Nausea
• Tingling or burning under the tongue
• Weakness or fatigue

Serious effects can include profound hypotension, fainting, or worsening chest pain. Do not use with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil) or with riociguat; dangerous blood pressure drops can occur. Use is generally avoided in severe anemia, increased intracranial pressure, recent head trauma, or marked hypotension. Alcohol may intensify blood pressure lowering. Seek medical care if chest pain is severe, atypical, or not relieved as expected.

Onset Time

Most people feel relief within 1–3 minutes, with maximal effect around 5 minutes. Duration is usually 30–60 minutes. If a second or third dose is required, follow the spaced 5-minute guidance and seek emergency help when pain persists after 3 tablets or 15 minutes. Regular follow-up with a healthcare professional helps confirm that angina therapy remains effective.

Compare With Alternatives

Nitroglycerin lingual spray (such as Nitrolingual) offers similar rapid onset. Sprays can be helpful when the mouth is very dry or when handling small tablets is difficult. Some patients still prefer tablets due to familiarity or cost differences.

Nitroglycerin sublingual powder (such as GoNitro) provides quick relief in a single-use packet. It can be easier to administer during an episode, but the packet format may be less convenient to carry than a small bottle of tablets.

Other antianginal options include long-acting nitrates (isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate), beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and ranolazine for prevention of chronic stable angina. These agents do not replace a rapid-acting rescue dose for breakthrough symptoms.

Brand Nitrostat® is one option; you may also encounter other brands historically, such as Nitroquick nitroglycerin sublingual tablets, and various generics. Selection depends on availability, prescriber preference, and local formulary.

Combination Therapy

• Rescue nitroglycerin with a background beta-blocker for chronic prevention
• Rescue nitroglycerin with a calcium channel blocker when beta-blockers are not suitable
• Rescue nitroglycerin alongside long-acting nitrates with nitrate-free intervals to limit tolerance
• Cardioprotective agents such as antiplatelets, statins, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs as clinically indicated

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Nitrostat® is intended for adults diagnosed with angina due to coronary artery disease and prescribed nitroglycerin for rapid symptom relief. It is not a pain reliever for non-cardiac chest pain. Those with very low blood pressure, severe anemia, increased intracranial pressure, or recent head injury may not be candidates. People taking PDE5 inhibitors or riociguat must avoid nitroglycerin due to interaction risk.

Discuss any frequent need for rescue doses with a clinician, as this may signal a change in disease control. Tolerance is less common with intermittent sublingual use, but scheduling of long-acting nitrates, if prescribed, should include nitrate-free periods.

Nitrostat prescription requirements vary by jurisdiction, but Nitrostat sublingual tablet is a prescription-only medicine; Nitrostat over the counter is not available. When comparing Nitrostat tablets price or the cost of nitroglycerin sublingual tablets, consider strength (for example, nitrostat 0.4 mg tablet vs 0.3 mg or 0.6 mg), package size, and whether brand or generic is appropriate. Ordering from a licensed Canadian pharmacy can reduce total spend while maintaining strict quality standards.

Practical savings tips include choosing the prescribed strength that aligns with typical dosing, considering multi-month fills when appropriate, and setting reorder reminders so a fresh supply is always accessible. Keep a backup bottle in a cool, dry place and rotate stock by expiry date. If exploring nitrostat online options, verify licensure and pharmacist review.

Authoritative Sources

Pfizer Nitrostat prescribing information

FDA-approved Nitrostat label (Medication Guide/PI)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: nitroglycerin sublingual tablets

Order Nitrostat® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice from your healthcare professional.