GTN Spray

Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray is used to treat and prevent angina.

Angina is a type of chest pain that happens when there's less blood flowing to your heart muscles. Your heart muscles need oxygen to pump blood throughout your body. This oxygen is carried to the heart muscles by the blood, and when there's not enough oxygen, the muscles begin to tighten.

Angina comes in two main types:

Stable angina can be brought on by stress or physical activity. These episodes are usually brief, lasting just a few minutes.

Unstable angina attacks are less predictable and often occur without a clear cause.

Glyceryl trinitrate is part of a group of medicines known as nitrates. It helps treat and prevent angina in two ways. Firstly, it widens the blood vessels throughout the body, allowing blood to flow more easily. Secondly, it expands the vessels in the heart, ensuring blood can reach the heart muscles and provide the oxygen they require.

You can use it before a trigger, such as exercise, to stop an attack from happening. It can also be used as an emergency treatment if an attack has already started.

Glyceryl trinitrate spray comes in a single dosage of 400mcg, as this is considered the most effective. Your doctor will typically recommend using one or two sprays under your tongue when you feel pain.

There are other medications available to manage the condition that focus on preventing angina attacks over the long term. However, these cannot be used during an attack to relieve it, nor can they be taken just before a trigger to stop one from happening.

An example of a long-term treatment is beta blockers. They help by slowing down the heart rate and decreasing the amount of oxygen the heart muscles need.

Calcium channel blockers are another widely used long-term treatment. They help lower your blood pressure, making it easier for blood to reach your heart. Unlike GTN spray, they work gradually and cannot be used during an attack to ease symptoms.

Glyceryl trinitrate works very well and is simple to use.

It can be a good choice for treating an attack when it happens, and also for preventing one before you exercise.

Research indicates that using glyceryl trinitrate spray before exercising can help prevent angina from starting. A 400mcg dose is considered the most effective.

There's a branded version of GTN spray known as Glytrin. It contains the same active ingredient as GTN spray, works in a similar manner, and is available in the same dosage.

There are other treatments for angina that use the same active ingredient as GTN spray, which is glyceryl trinitrate. These are available in different forms, such as tablets and patches like Deponit patches. If you prefer not to use a spray, you might consider trying one of these alternatives.

GTN spray is available from a pharmacy without a prescription. However, you'll need to consult with a clinician and obtain it from a registered pharmacy. They will ensure it's suitable for you and provide guidance on how to use it.

Chest pain can be concerning, so it's important to rule out any serious underlying issues first. Share your health details with us, and our clinicians will review them. You can then order GTN spray directly from us to be delivered to your home.