Source: Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) Revision Year: 2018 Publisher: Mylan Products Ltd, Station Close, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 1TL, United Kingdom
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Vasodilators used in cardiac diseases, organic nitrates
ATC Code: C01DA02
Nitroglycerin, the active constituent of Minitran is a dilator of smooth muscle, producing relaxation by an unknown mechanism. It has no direct effects on the inotropic or chronotropic state of the heart. It affects cardiac output only as a consequence of its effect on venous capacitance and arteriolar resistance vessels. These effects on preload and afterload reduce myocardial oxygen consumption and are primarily responsible for the mechanism by which nitroglycerin relieves the symptoms of angina pectoris. The drug’s principal side effects (headache, flushing, dizziness, postural hypotension and tachycardia) are also a result of its smooth muscle relaxing effects.
When Minitran is applied to the skin, nitroglycerin is absorbed continuously through the skin into the systemic circulation and thus reaches the target organs (heart, vascular system) before deactivation by the liver. Minitran gives continuous release of nitroglycerin over 24 hours maintaining constant plasma levels. Nitroglycerin is metabolised by hydrolysis to dinitrates and the mononitrate.
Not applicable.
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