Worried for my Dad

HI my father is 54 he is insulin dependent and lately he has been taking a lot of Nitro pills. I would say that he has went through at least 2 bottles in a month. He isn't telling his doctor and he isn't calling 911. He is just taking them like they are candy. How many nitro pills is too many. And what should I do to help.

[caregiver222]

Needless to say, you father requires a professional medical workup at a hospital and a cardiologists evaluation. In and of itself, the nitroglycerine pills will do no harm (except give him headaches). Nitrocylcerine pills cause vasodilation - the blood vessels relax and the interior diameter widens - but nitro pills become ineffective when continually used. They also go bad when exposed to light and air and a new bottle is neede every 90 days. Convince him to go to a medical facility. The constant use of the pills is suggestive of unstable angina.