On this page
Nitrostat
nitroglycerin · Tablet
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC DirectoryForms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrate Vasodilator [EPC] | EPC | All 15 members |
| Nitrates [CS] | CS | All 15 members |
| Vasodilation [PE] | PE | All 31 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 021134-001 | NITROSTAT | TABLET | NITROGLYCERIN | Prescription | AB | RLD | |
| 021134-002 | NITROSTAT | TABLET | NITROGLYCERIN | Prescription | AB | RLD | |
| 021134-003 | NITROSTAT | TABLET | NITROGLYCERIN | Prescription | AB | RLD RS |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 10 | Labeling | Approved | January 24, 2018 | Standard |
| Supplement | 9 | Labeling | Approved | January 31, 2017 | Standard |
| Supplement | 8 | Labeling | Approved | August 29, 2016 | Standard |
| Supplement | 7 | Labeling | Approved | March 7, 2014 | Standard |
| Supplement | 5 | Labeling | Approved | July 21, 2011 | Unknown |
| Supplement | 4 | Labeling | Approved | July 12, 2010 | Unknown |
| Original application | 1 | Type 3 - New Dosage Form | Approved | May 1, 2000 | Standard |
Review documents
- 0 · Supplement · January 26, 2018
- 0 · Supplement · January 26, 2018
- 0 · Supplement · May 17, 2017
- 0 · Supplement · January 31, 2017
- 0 · Supplement · August 29, 2016
- 0 · Supplement · August 29, 2016
- 0 · Supplement · March 10, 2014
- 0 · Supplement · March 10, 2014
- 0 · Supplement · July 25, 2011
- 0 · Supplement · July 25, 2011
- 0 · Supplement · July 22, 2010
- 0 · Supplement · July 21, 2010
- 0 · Original application · May 1, 2000
- 0 · Original application · May 1, 2000
- 0 · Original application · May 1, 2000
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20251106). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug Labeling1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE NITROSTAT is indicated for the acute relief of an attack or acute prophylaxis of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. INDICATIONS AND USAGE NITROSTAT is a nitrate vasodilator indicated for relief of an attack or prophylaxis of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. (1)
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug Labeling2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Administer one tablet under the tongue or in the buccal pouch at the first sign of an acute anginal attack. Allow tablet to dissolve without swallowing. One additional tablet may be administered every 5 minutes until relief is obtained. No more than three tablets are recommended within a 15-minute period. If the pain persists after a total of 3 tablets in a 15-minute period, or if the pain is different than is typically experienced, seek prompt medical attention. NITROSTAT may be used prophylactically 5 to 10 minutes prior to engaging in activities that might precipitate an acute attack. For patients with xerostomia, a small sip of water prior to placing the tablet under the tongue may help maintain mucosal hydration and aid dissolution of the tablet. Administer NITROSTAT at rest, preferably in the sitting position. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • At the onset of an attack, administer one tablet under the tongue or buccal pouch. One additional tablet may be administered every 5 minutes as needed. No more than 3 total tablets are recommended within a 15 minute period. (2) • If chest pain persists after three tablets, seek prompt medical attention. (2) • May be used prophylactically 5 to 10 minutes prior to engaging in activities that might precipitate an acute attack. (2)
Dosage Forms and Strengths
openFDA Drug Labeling3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS NITROSTAT is supplied as white, round, flat-faced tablets in three strengths: 0.3 mg (Coded with “N” on one side and “3” on the other) 0.4 mg (Coded with “N” on one side and “4” on the other) 0.6 mg (Coded with “N” on one side and “6” on the other) DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Sublingual tablets, 0.3 mg; 0.4 mg; 0.6 mg (3)
Contraindications
openFDA Drug Labeling4 CONTRAINDICATIONS 4.1 PDE-5-Inhibitors and sGC-Stimulators Do not use NITROSTAT in patients who are taking PDE-5 Inhibitors, such as avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil hydrochloride. Concomitant use can cause severe hypotension, syncope, or myocardial ischemia [see Drug Interactions (7.1)]. Do not use NITROSTAT in patients who are taking the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators, such as riociguat. Concomitant use can cause hypotension. 4.2 Severe Anemia NITROSTAT is contraindicated in patients with severe anemia (large doses of nitroglycerin may cause oxidation of hemoglobin to methemoglobin and could exacerbate anemia). 4.3 Increased Intracranial Pressure NITROSTAT may precipitate or aggravate increased intracranial pressure and thus should not be used in patients with possible increased intracranial pressure (e.g., cerebral hemorrhage or traumatic brain injury). 4.4 Hypersensitivity NITROSTAT is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to nitroglycerin, other nitrates or nitrites or any excipient. 4.5 Circulatory Failure and Shock NITROSTAT is contraindicated in patients with acute circulatory failure or shock. CONTRAINDICATIONS • Use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, such as avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil, or soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators. (4.1, 7.1) • Severe anemia (4.2) • Increased intracranial pressure (4.3) • Hypersensitivity to NITROSTAT or to other nitrates or nitrites or any excipient (4.4) • Circulatory failure and shock (4.5)
Warnings and Cautions
openFDA Drug Labeling5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 5.1 Tolerance Excessive use may lead to the development of tolerance. Only the smallest dose required for effective relief of the acute angina attack should be used. A decrease in therapeutic effect of sublingual nitroglycerin may result from use of long-acting nitrates. 5.2 Hypotension Severe hypotension, particularly with upright posture, may occur with small doses of nitroglycerin particularly in patients with constrictive pericarditis, aortic or mitral stenosis, patients who may be volume-depleted, or are already hypotensive. Hypotension induced by nitroglycerin may be accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia and increased angina pectoris. Symptoms of severe hypotension (nausea, vomiting, weakness, pallor, perspiration and collapse/syncope) may occur even with therapeutic doses. 5.3 Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy Nitrate therapy may aggravate the angina caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. 5.4 Headache Nitroglycerin produces dose-related headaches, especially at the start of nitroglycerin therapy, which may be severe and persist but usually subside with continued use. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Tolerance: Excessive use may lead to tolerance. (5.1) • Hypotension: Severe hypotension may occur. (5.2)
Warnings
openFDA Drug LabelingWARNINGS The benefits of sublingual nitroglycerin in patients with acute myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure have not been established. If one elects to use nitroglycerin in these conditions, careful clinical or hemodynamic monitoring must be used because of the possibility of hypotension and tachycardia.
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug Labeling6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail elsewhere in the label: • Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] • Headache [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] • Hypersensitivity [see Contraindications (4.4)] Vertigo, dizziness, weakness, palpitation, and other manifestations of postural hypotension may develop occasionally, particularly in erect, immobile patients. Marked sensitivity to the hypotensive effects of nitrates (manifested by nausea, vomiting, weakness, diaphoresis, pallor, and collapse) may occur at therapeutic doses. Syncope due to nitrate vasodilatation has been reported. Flushing, drug rash, and exfoliative dermatitis have been reported in patients receiving nitrate therapy. ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions occurring at a frequency greater than 2% are headache, dizziness and paresthesia. (6) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Viatris at 1-877-446-3679 (1-877-4-INFO-RX) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug LabelingDrug Interactions Concomitant use of NITROSTAT with soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators is contraindicated (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ). Concomitant use of nitrates and alcohol may cause hypotension. The vasodilatory and hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin may be enhanced by concomitant administration of aspirin. Intravenous administration of nitroglycerin decreases the thrombolytic effect of alteplase. Therefore, caution should be observed in patients receiving sublingual nitroglycerin during alteplase therapy. Intravenous nitroglycerin reduces the anticoagulant effect of heparin and activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) should be monitored in patients receiving heparin and intravenous nitroglycerin. It is not known if this effect occurs following single sublingual nitroglycerin doses. Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, others) and anticholinergic drugs may cause dry mouth and diminished salivary secretions. This may make dissolution of sublingual nitroglycerin difficult. Increasing salivation with chewing gum or artificial saliva products may prove useful in aiding dissolution of sublingual nitroglycerin. Oral administration of nitroglycerin markedly decreases the first-pass metabolism of dihydroergotamine and subsequently increases its oral bioavailability. Ergotamine is known to precipitate angina pectoris. Therefore, patients receiving sublingual nitroglycerin should avoid ergotamine and related drugs or be monitored for symptoms of ergotism if this is not possible. Administration of nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients who are using PDE-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil citrate, tadalafil, vardenafil hydrochloride). These compounds have been shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of organic nitrates. A decrease in therapeutic effect of sublingual nitroglycerin may result from use of long-acting nitrates.
Use in Specific Populations
openFDA Drug Labeling8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited published data on the use of nitroglycerin are insufficient to determine a drug associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. In animal reproduction studies, there were no adverse developmental effects when nitroglycerin was administered intravenously to rabbits or intraperitoneally to rats during organogenesis at doses greater than 64-times the human dose [see Data ] . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data No embryotoxic or postnatal development effects were observed with transdermal application in pregnant rabbits and rats at doses up to 80 and 240 mg/kg/day, respectively, at intraperitoneal doses in pregnant rats up to 20 mg/kg/day from gestation day 7-17, and at intravenous doses in pregnant rabbits up to 4 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6-18. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Sublingual nitroglycerin has not been studied in lactating women. It is not known if nitroglycerin is present in human milk or if nitroglycerin has effects on milk production. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of nitroglycerin in pediatric patients have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of NITROSTAT did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Mechanism of Action
openFDA Drug Labeling12.1 Mechanism of Action Nitroglycerin forms free radical nitric oxide (NO) which activates guanylate cyclase, resulting in an increase of guanosine 3'5' monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in smooth muscle and other tissues. These events lead to dephosphorylation of myosin light chains, which regulate the contractile state in smooth muscle, and result in vasodilatation.
Description
openFDA Drug Labeling11 DESCRIPTION NITROSTAT is a stabilized sublingual compressed nitroglycerin tablet that contains 0.3 mg, 0.4 mg , or 0.6 mg nitroglycerin; as well as lactose monohydrate, NF; glyceryl monostearate, NF; pregelatinized starch, NF; calcium stearate, NF powder; and silicon dioxide, colloidal, NF. Nitroglycerin, an organic nitrate, is a vasodilating agent. The chemical name for nitroglycerin is 1, 2, 3 propanetriol trinitrate and the chemical structure is: Molecular weight: 227.09 Nitroglycerin Structural Formula
Overdosage
openFDA Drug LabelingOVERDOSAGE Hemodynamic Effects: The effects of nitroglycerin overdose are generally the results of nitroglycerin's capacity to induce vasodilatation, venous pooling, reduced cardiac output, and hypotension. These hemodynamic changes may have protean manifestations, including increased intracranial pressure, with any or all of persistent throbbing headache, confusion, and moderate fever; vertigo; palpitations; tachycardia; visual disturbances; nausea and vomiting (possibly with colic and even bloody diarrhea); syncope (especially in the upright posture); dyspnea, later followed by reduced ventilatory effort; diaphoresis, with the skin either flushed or cold and clammy; heart block and bradycardia; paralysis; coma; seizures; and death. No specific antagonist to the vasodilator effects of nitroglycerin is known, and no intervention has been subject to controlled study as a therapy of nitroglycerin overdose. Because the hypotension associated with nitroglycerin overdose is the result of venodilatation and arterial hypovolemia, prudent therapy in this situation should be directed toward increase in central fluid volume. Passive elevation of the patient's legs may be sufficient, but intravenous infusion of normal saline or similar fluid may also be necessary. The use of epinephrine or other arterial vasoconstrictors in this setting is likely to do more harm than good. In patients with renal disease or congestive heart failure, therapy resulting in central volume expansion is not without hazard. Treatment of nitroglycerin overdose in these patients may be subtle and difficult, and invasive monitoring may be required. Methemoglobinemia: Methemoglobinemia has been rarely reported in association with organic nitrates. The diagnosis should be suspected in patients who exhibit signs of impaired oxygen delivery despite adequate cardiac output and adequate arterial PO 2 . Classically, methemoglobinemic blood is described as chocolate brown, without color change on exposure to air. If methemoglobinemia is present, intravenous administration of methylene blue, 1 to 2 mg/kg of body weight, may be required.
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug Labeling16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING NITROSTAT is supplied as white, round, flat-faced tablets in 3 strengths (0.3 mg, 0.4 mg, and 0.6 mg) in bottles containing 100 tablets each, with color-coded labels, and in color-coded Patient Convenience Packages of 4 bottles of 25 tablets each. 0.3 mg: Coded N on one side and 3 on the other. NDC 58151-309-01Bottle of 100 tablets 0.4 mg: Coded N on one side and 4 on the other. NDC 58151-310-52Convenience Package NDC 58151-310-01Bottle of 100 tablets 0.6 mg: Coded N on one side and 6 on the other. NDC 58151-311-01Bottle of 100 tablets Store at Controlled Room Temperature 20°25°C (68°77°F) [see USP]. Nitroglycerin should be kept in the original glass container and must be tightly capped after each use to prevent loss of tablet potency. Product repackaged by: Henry Schein, Inc., Bastian, VA 24314 From Original Manufacturer/Distributor's NDC and Unit of Sale To Henry Schein Repackaged Product NDC and Unit of Sale Total Strength/Total Volume (Concentration) per unit NDC 58151-310-52 Convenience Package 4 bottles of 25 tablets each NDC 0404-9800-01 1 bottle in a bag (Bottle bears NDC 58151-310-94) 0.4 mg
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: NITROGLYCERIN. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50090-7203-0 | 50090-7203 | A-S Medication Solutions | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (50090-7203-0) / 25 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE | August 1, 2024 |
| 0404-9800-01 | 0404-9800 | Henry Schein, Inc. | 1 BOTTLE in 1 BAG (0404-9800-01) / 25 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE | September 17, 2024 |
| 63187-884-25 | 63187-884 | Proficient Rx LP | 25 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (63187-884-25) | October 2, 2017 |
| 58151-309-01 | 58151-309 | Viatris Specialty LLC | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (58151-309-01) / 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE | June 4, 2024 |
| 58151-310-01 | 58151-310 | Viatris Specialty LLC | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (58151-310-01) / 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE | February 2, 2024 |
| 58151-310-52 | 58151-310 | Viatris Specialty LLC | 4 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (58151-310-52) / 25 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (58151-310-94) | February 2, 2024 |
| 58151-311-01 | 58151-311 | Viatris Specialty LLC | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (58151-311-01) / 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE | February 9, 2024 |
| 50090-7203 | 50090-7203 | A-S Medication Solutions | — | February 2, 2024 |
| 0404-9800 | 0404-9800 | Henry Schein, Inc. | — | September 17, 2024 |
| 63187-884 | 63187-884 | Proficient Rx LP | — | May 1, 2000 |
| 58151-309 | 58151-309 | Viatris Specialty LLC | — | June 4, 2024 |
| 58151-310 | 58151-310 | Viatris Specialty LLC | — | February 2, 2024 |
| 58151-311 | 58151-311 | Viatris Specialty LLC | — | February 9, 2024 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 11 sections on this page.