How often should nitroglycerin tablets be taken for angina relief?

Nitroglycerin tablets are used to relieve angina, which is a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. The standard recommendation for the administration of nitroglycerin is to take one tablet every five minutes as needed for angina pain. If the chest pain persists after three doses (meaning that after three administrations over a total period of 15 minutes the pain has not subsided), it is advised to seek emergency medical attention.

This timeframe is designed to allow for the quick onset of action of nitroglycerin, which typically works within a few minutes to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow, providing relief from the symptoms of angina. Following this guideline helps to ensure both effectiveness and safety in managing angina episodes.