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Warning-sign checks

Nitroglycerin overdose: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Contact emergency services or a poison centre immediately if too much nitroglycerin may have been swallowed, sprayed, applied, or given.

    Do this even if the person currently feels well.

    Call emergency services at once for:

    • Fainting, collapse, or inability to wake
    • Severe difficulty breathing
    • Blue-grey lips, skin, or nails
    • Confusion, seizure, or marked drowsiness
    • Severe weakness or signs of very low blood pressure
    • Chest pain that is severe, changing, or not improving as directed

    Elsewhere, use the local poison centre or emergency number.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    It does not replace urgent care for new symptoms.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate after recovery to review medicine use, storage, interactions, and the condition for which nitroglycerin was prescribed.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is having side effects from a medicine, or is struggling to take it as prescribed

The article also says

Do not make the person vomit.

Do not give food, drink, or home remedies unless a poison specialist advises it.

Do not let a dizzy or faint person stand or walk, and do not have them drive.

If it can be done safely, remove any nitroglycerin patch while waiting for help.

Keep the package, applicator, or remaining medicine so responders can identify the product.

In the United States, Poison Help can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Nitroglycerin overdose. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.