How and for what is nitroglycerin ointment applied

Probably, there is no adult who could not imagine what anal fissures and hemorrhoids are. Those who have encountered these problems, long remember the exhausting pain when trying to defecate, and just while walking.

One of the main components of conservative treatment of these diseases of the anus (anus) is nitroglycerin ointment (glycerol trinitrate). About the rules of its application and the effectiveness of treatment with this drug, we'll talk today.

In what cases is the treatment with nitroglycerin ointment applied

More than 40 years ago, doctors drew attention to the fact that spasm of the anal sphincter, accompanied by the appearance of hemorrhoids and cracks in a patient, greatly hampers their healing. This is because this involuntary contraction of the tonic muscles greatly hinders the local flow of blood (causes ischemia) and significantly complicates the already painful process of defecation, resulting in new ruptures and trauma to the anus.

A similar problem prompted medics to use for the treatment of cracks in ointments with nitroglycerin. This substance is able to relax the muscles of the sphincter and, as verified, positively affect the acceleration of the healing process.

How does nitroglycerin ointment work: its composition

The composition of this drug includes the active substance nitroglycerin and lanolin-vaseline base.

The described preparation with topical application, absorbed, dilates the vessels and relaxes the sphincter. This improves blood circulation, which helps healing, and spasm disappears. And thanks to the latter effect, the trauma of the anus is reduced and, accordingly, the painful crack heals faster. By the way, some patients may experience a slight itching and burning during the application of the ointment.

Features of ointment application

Nitroglycerin ointment is applied on the affected areas from two to four times a day. As a rule, the course of treatment is 1 month. In the course of treatment, strictly adhere to the dosage indicated by your doctor!

The instruction suggests applying a little ointment on a cotton swab on the rod and inserting it into a small depth into the anus (if you simply lubricate the surface around the sphincter, the active substance will not give a sufficient therapeutic effect, but it can cause side effects). True, with severe pain when you insert a tampon, you can also lubricate the surface around the anus.

Especially quickly, nitroglycerin is absorbed with good blood flow. Therefore, doctors advise not to apply the ointment within half an hour after taking a bath, in order to avoid getting into the blood of excessive amounts of active substance

Side effects of ointment application

Carrying out treatment with this drug, it is important not to overdo it with its application! In large quantities, the ointment can cause dizziness and headache caused by a decrease in blood pressure due to the expansion of blood vessels (by the way, therefore, doctors recommend to apply the drug in a prone position). To avoid undesirable side effects, you also need to remember to wash your hands after the procedure after the remnants of the ointment. Interestingly, all these effects have the ability to self-limiting: with the constant use of drugs with nitroglycerin, they become less pronounced. But still, when they appear, the use of the ointment should be stopped and consult a doctor.

Contraindications to use

The described rectal ointment is prescribed by a proctologist. The patient should not make a decision about the expediency of its use.

It should also be remembered that in some cases, nitroglycerin ointment may be contraindicated. The instruction on this says the following:

• Before starting treatment, the patient must necessarily consult a physician who observes it;
• The agent is not prescribed if the patient suffers from cardiovascular diseases or severe hypotension (low blood pressure);
• Elderly people use this remedy with extreme caution;
• Contraindicated treatment of this drug patients receiving drugs containing organic nitrates or having increased sensitivity to the active substance;
• During pregnancy and during breastfeeding, before using the ointment, a doctor's consultation is mandatory;
• In the presence of dizziness caused by the use of ointment, you must abandon driving the car until the side effect disappears.

In what other cases is nitroglycerin used as part of the ointment?

In proctology, an ointment of nitroglycerin 0.2% is used. But there is also an ointment with a 2% content of the active substance.

This drug is used in cardiology as a prophylactic for attacks of angina pectoris, as well as in cases of chronic heart failure. Nitroglycerin ointment is also effective as one of the components of pulmonary hypertension therapy.

In these cases, the amount of ointment prescribed by the doctor is applied to the scale of the dosing paper and attached to the area of the skin without hair. The effect, as a rule, comes in half an hour and lasts up to 5 hours.

Nitroglycerin Ointment: price

It should be taken into account that there is no factory production of nitroglycerin ointment 0.2% in Russia. The described drug is made in pharmacies to order according to individual recipes. Therefore, when appointing her treating doctor, specify where to buy nitroglycerin ointment. Some clinics make and offer it to their patients.

This product is usually placed in a bottle of dark glass with a volume of 20 g. Store it at room temperature, avoiding direct sunlight and moisture.

Ointment in Russia costs in the range of 350 rubles.