TO: CCF-CARDIO-MD-APS RE DAILY NITRO

  YOU SAID THAT IT MAY TAKE THREE MONTHS FOR THE DAILY DOSE OF NITRO THAT MY HUSBAND IS TAKING TO RESOLVE?  IS THERE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR HE CAN DO FOR THE TERRIBLE HEADACHES IN THE MEANTIME? (SEE: I AM NOT CONVINCED)  
  MAY HE TAKE THIS PILL HALF IN THE A.M. AND HALF AT NIGHT?  WHAT TIME OF DAY IS BETTER?  HE WAKES UP WITH A HEADACHE IF HE TAKES IT AT 5 P.M. OR LATER.  (HE WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT ONE HOUR BEFORE DINNER--IS THIS THAT IMPORTANT?)
  COULD HE POSSIBLY JUST TAKE HALF PER DAY, OR WOULDN'T THAT DO HIM ANY GOOD?
  THANKS!

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Dear Judy,
How to dose nitroglycerin is based on the route (by mouth, through the skin)and the number of times taken per day.
I can tell you that for people who wear the patch (absorbed throught the skin) it helps to place it further from the head
such as on the thigh.  Also dependent on the person the headache might be reduced by taking the isordil form of nitroglycerin
that you take 3X/day instead of the imdur form which you take once a day.  My suggestion to you is to work with your physician and
pharmacist so that you can find the form of nitroglycerin that reduces the headache.  You may also want to speak to your physician about
non narcotic forms of pain relievers such as excedrin and or extra strength tylenol.  Never dose your medications any differently than described without discussion with your pharmacist and or physician.  
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for informational purposes only, any diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).