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Types of Nitrates

Doctors may prescribe nitrates to alleviate angina or chest pains caused by heart conditions such as coronary artery disease. Nitrates belong to the vasodilators class of medicines, which opens blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic. The most common types of nitrates include nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate. People take nitrates to treat chest pains on an as-needed basis, as a daily regimen to reduce angina attacks or before an activity that may cause an attack to stop chest pains.

  1. Causes of Chest Pains

    • Typically, people get chest pains or angina when the heart muscle does not receive the necessary amount of oxygen to operate. Most of the time, chest pains or angina result from the narrowing of arteries that supply blood to the heart. Usually this is a result of atherosclerosis or fatty plaque building up on the artery lining.

    Forms of Nitrates

    • Pharmaceutical companies manufacture different forms of nitrates. Short-term nitrates come in sprays, chewable tablets or tablets that go under the tongue. Patients take short-term nitrates when chest pains occur or as needed. Patients take long-term nitrates on a daily basis. This form of nitrate is available in a patch form, pill or ointment.

    Nitroglycercin

    • Nitroglycercin is a nitrate that relaxes the blood vessels to help the blood flow to the heart easier. Nitroglycercin does not alleviate angina, nor is it meant for patients to take before activities such as exercise. However, it usually is a short-term drug for as-needed occasions. It is available as a pill, tablet or patch. Pharmaceutical companies may market nitroglycerin under various brands such as Nitrostat, Nitro-Par and Nitrolingual.

    Isosorbide Mononitrate

    • Doctors may prescribe isosorbide mononitrate, another type of nitrate, to stop or reduce angina or chest pains due to heart disease. Patients may take this type of nitrate on a long-term basis to help stop chest pain. Some brands of isosorbide mononitrate include Ismo, Monoket and Imdur. It is available as either a spray and pill.

    Isosorbide Dinitrate

    • Isosorbide Dinitrate is available in a spray formula and pill. Some pharmaceutical brands include Isordi, Dilatrate and Sorbitrate. Most patients take this type of medicine on regular basis. As with other nitrates, this medicine is used to prevent angina or chest pain in patients who have heart problems.

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