Taking glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) with other medicines and herbal supplements - Brand names: Rectogesic, Minitran, Glytrin

Cautions with other medicines

There are some medicines that may affect how glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) works.

If you take other medicines that lower blood pressure with GTN, it can sometimes lower your blood pressure too much. This might make you feel dizzy or faint.

Tell your doctor if this happens to you. They may need to change your dose.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking:

• medicines for erection problems such as alprostadil, avanafil, sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil
• anticoagulant medicine to prevent blood clots such as heparin
• medicines for depression or other mental health conditions
• medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems
• medicines for migraine that contain ergot alkaloids or ergotamine
• medicines for Parkinson's disease such as apomorphine

If you take GTN tablets, tell a doctor or pharmacist if you take any medicines that make your mouth dry (including some antidepressants, cold medicines or medicines for urinary incontinence). This is because a dry mouth can reduce how well GTN tablets work, so GTN spray may be better for you.

Taking GTN with painkillers

Paracetamol is safe to take with GTN.

Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) regularly, such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen. These may make your angina worse.

Talk to your pharmacist if you need a painkiller stronger than paracetamol.

Mixing glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) with herbal remedies and supplements

There's not enough information to say that complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with GTN. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.