Precautions and Warnings With Nitroglycerin Anal Ointment

Because this drug is not suitable for everyone, discuss your medical history with your doctor before starting treatment with nitroglycerin anal ointment. This product often causes headaches; however, they often improve with time. Safety precautions for nitroglycerin anal ointment also include warnings of potential drug interactions, as well as other complications it may cause, such as dangerously low blood pressure.

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using nitroglycerin anal ointment (Rectiv™) if you have:
 
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Dehydration
  • Anemia
  • Increased intracranial pressure
  • Heart problems of any kind
  • Any allergies, including to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding.
     
You should also be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Nitroglycerin Anal Ointment Warnings and Precautions

Some warnings and precautions to be aware of with this drug include the following:
 
 
  • Nitroglycerin anal ointment contains nitroglycerin, a drug that affects blood pressure and blood flow throughout the body. It may not be safe for people with certain types of heart problems. If you have any heart problems, discuss this potential risk with your healthcare provider before using nitroglycerin anal ointment.
     
  • This medication often causes headaches, which can be quite severe. These usually improve over time, as the body gets used to the effects of nitroglycerin.
     
  • Nitroglycerin anal ointment can sometimes cause dangerously low blood pressure (hypotension). Alcohol or certain other medications may make this worse (see Drug Interactions With Nitroglycerin Anal Ointment). People who already have low blood pressure or who are dehydrated are at a higher risk for this complication.
     
  • In rare cases, some people may be allergic to nitroglycerin anal ointment. Let your healthcare provider know if you develop any signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
 
    • Hives
    • Itching
    • Unexplained swelling
    • Difficulty breathing.
 
  • This product is a pregnancy Category C medication, which means that it may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are currently unknown (see Rectiv and Pregnancy for more information).
     
  • It is unknown if nitroglycerin anal ointment passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, check with your healthcare provider (or your child's healthcare provider) before using this product (see Rectiv and Breastfeeding).
     
Precautions and Warnings With Nitroglycerin Anal Ointment Article Continues on Next Page >
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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