Nitro-Dur (transdermal)

Nitro-Dur (skin patch) is used to prevent chest pain (angina) attacks. Nitro-Dur will not treat an angina attack that has already started.

Nitro-Dur may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not use Nitro-Dur if you are allergic to any type of adhesive found in bandages or other transdermal skin patches, or if you are taking medicine for pulmonary arterial hypertension, like riociguat.

Do not take erectile dysfunction medicine (Viagra, Cialis, and others) while using Nitro-Dur, as it could cause a sudden and serious drop in blood pressure.

You should not use Nitro-Dur if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• an allergy to any type of adhesive on a bandage or other transdermal skin patch; or
• if you are using medicine to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, such as riociguat.

Do not take erectile dysfunction medicine (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Stendra, Staxyn, sildenafil, avanafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) while you are using Nitro-Dur. Using erectile dysfunction medicine with this medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a heart attack or other heart problems;
• a stroke or head injury; or
• low blood pressure.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Nitro-Dur may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• worsening chest pain;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• slow heart rate;
• feeling light-headed, as if you might faint; or
• symptoms of a heart attack—chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.

Nitro-Dur can cause severe headaches. These headaches may gradually become less severe as you keep using this medicine. Do not stop using this medicine. Ask your doctor before taking any headache pain medication.

Common side effects of Nitro-Dur may include:

• headache; or
• feeling light-headed.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Wash your hands after applying or removing a skin patch.

Do not wear more than one Nitro-Dur patch at a time. Using extra skin patches will not make the medication more effective. Never cut a skin patch.

The Nitro-Dur skin patch is usually worn for 12 to 14 hours and then removed. A new patch is put on after a "patch-free" period of 10 to 12 hours. Your doctor may want you to wear the patch for longer or shorter periods of time. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

You may have very low blood pressure while using Nitro-Dur. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual.

Nitro-Dur will not work fast enough to treat an angina attack. Your doctor may prescribe a fast-acting medicine to treat an angina attack. Tell your doctor if it seems like any of your medicines don't work as well in treating or preventing angina attacks.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time that you are using Nitro-Dur.

Do not stop using this medicine without your doctor's advice, even if you feel fine. You may have increased angina attacks if you stop using the medication suddenly.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Do not refrigerate. Keep each skin patch in its sealed pouch until you are ready to use it.

After removing a skin patch fold it in half, sticky side in, and throw it away in a place where children or pets cannot get to it. Keep both used and unused Nitro-Dur skin patches out of the reach of children or pets.

Apply a patch as soon as you remember and wear it for the rest of your scheduled time without altering your patch removal schedule. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use extra patches to compensate for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. The amount of Nitro-Dur in a used skin patch could be harmful to a child or pet who accidentally chews on the patch.

Overdose symptoms may include a severe throbbing headache, confusion, fever, fast or pounding heartbeats, dizziness, vision problems, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, trouble breathing, cold or clammy skin, fainting, and seizures.

Avoid standing up too quickly from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Drinking alcohol can increase some side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking, especially:

• aspirin, heparin;
• any medicine used to treat blood clots;
• blood pressure medication; or
• ergot medicine—dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine.

This list is not complete, and many other drugs may affect Nitro-Dur. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.