What is nitroglycerin?

Nitroglycerin is 1,2,3,-propanetriol trinitrate, an organic nitrate whose structural formula is as follows: and whose molecular weight is 227.09. RECTIV (nitroglycerin) Ointment 0.4% contains 0.4% nitroglycerin w/w (4 mg nitroglycerin/1 g ointment), propylene glycol, lanolin, sorbitan sesquioleate, paraffin wax, and white petrolatum. RECTIV (nitroglycerin) Ointment 0.4% is available in tubes with a one-inch dosing line on the carton allowing the measurement of approximately 375 mg of nitroglycerin ointment 0.4% (1.5 mg nitroglycerin) for application. Nitroglycerin is 1,2,3,-propanetriol trinitrate, an organic nitrate whose structural formula is as follows:

What kind of drug is nitroglycerin?

The FDA classifies nitroglycerin as a nitrate vasodilator. Nitrate vasodilators are converted in the body into nitric oxide, which relaxes the smooth muscle in blood vessel walls and widens them. This mainly opens up the veins, reducing how hard the heart must work and relieving chest pain. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take nitroglycerin with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run nitroglycerin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is nitroglycerin sold under?

We track 15 nitroglycerin-containing products in the U.S.: Minitran, Rectiv, Nitrostat, Transderm-Nitro, Tridil, Gonitro, Nitro IV and Nitro-Bid, and 7 more. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does nitroglycerin come in?

Across the brands we track, nitroglycerin is currently marketed as film, extended release, topical, tablet, injectable, powder, patch, spray/inhaler and spray/inhaler, metered, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic nitroglycerin?

Yes. Our catalog lists 2 generic nitroglycerin products alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has nitroglycerin been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists 2 recall records whose product description mentions nitroglycerin. The most recent: Nitroglycerin Sublingual Tablets 0.4MG 100-count carton (Mar 13, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Nitroglycerin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Nitroglycerin is a nitrate vasodilator sold in the U.S. under 15 brand and generic names, for angina pectoris, eclampsia and fissure in ano. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Nitrate Vasodilator
Treats: Angina Pectoris, Eclampsia and Fissure in Ano
Available as: Film, extended release · Topical · Tablet · Injectable · Powder · Patch · Spray/Inhaler · Spray/Inhaler, metered
Sold as: 15 products — Minitran, Rectiv and Nitrostat, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $4 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How nitroglycerin is dosed

From the FDA label for Rectiv (application NDA021359). Other nitroglycerin products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Apply 1 inch of ointment (375 mg of ointment equivalent to 1.5 mg of nitroglycerin) intra-anally every 12 hours for up to 3 weeks. A finger covering, such as plastic-wrap, disposable surgical glove or a finger cot, should be placed on the finger to apply the ointment. To obtain a 1.5 mg dose of nitroglycerin, the covered finger is laid alongside the 1 inch dosing line on the carton. Refer to carton for accurate dosage guide. The tube is gently squeezed until a line of ointment the length of the measuring line is expressed onto the covered finger. The ointment is gently inserted into the anal canal using the covered finger no further than to the first finger joint and the ointment is applied around the side of the anal canal. If this cannot be achieved due to pain, application of the ointment should be made directly to the outside of the anus. Treatment may be continued for up to three weeks. RECTIV ointment is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. Hands should be washed after application of the ointment [see Patient Instruction ] . Apply 1 inch of ointment (375 mg of ointment equivalent to 1.5 mg of nitroglycerin) intra-anally every 12 hours for up to 3 weeks ( 2 ). RECTIV ointment is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use ( 2 ) Refer to carton for accurate dosage guide.

Nitroglycerin side effects

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most common adverse reaction of RECTIV ointment applied to the anal canal is headache. Headache may be recurrent following each dose. Headaches are typically of short duration and can be treated with an analgesic, e.g. acetaminophen, and are reversible upon discontinuation of treatment. In Study REC-C-001, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with a painful chronic anal fissure, the most frequent (≥ 2%) adverse reactions reported were as follows (Table 1): Table 1: Incidence of Adverse Reactions (≥ 2%) in Study REC-C-001 RECTIV N = 123 Placebo N = 124 System Organ Class Preferred term Patients n (%) Events n Patients n (%) Events n Nervous system disorders Headache 79 (64) 938 51 (41) 225 Dizziness 6 (5) 26 0 0 Hypotension Transient episodes of light-headedness, occasionally related to blood pressure changes, also may occur. Hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension) occurs infrequently, but in some patients may be severe enough to warrant discontinuation of therapy. Allergic Reactions Flushing, allergic reactions and application site reactions (including drug rash and exfoliative dermatitis)…

Every nitroglycerin product we track (15)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Nitroglycerin products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Minitran	72/100	Prescription	Film	Generic	$4	View →
2	Rectiv	70/100	Prescription	Topical	Generic

What nitroglycerin pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Nitroglycerin pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
TCL;1221	2.5 mg	pink, white	capsule	—
TCL;1222	6.5 mg	blue, yellow	capsule	—
TCL;1223	9 mg	green, yellow	capsule	—
UpArrowhead;7	0.4 mg	white	round	—
4;V	0.4 mg	white	round	—

Nitroglycerin recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is nitroglycerin?: Nitroglycerin is 1,2,3,-propanetriol trinitrate, an organic nitrate whose structural formula is as follows: and whose molecular weight is 227.09. RECTIV (nitroglycerin) Ointment 0.4% contains 0.4% nitroglycerin w/w (4 mg nitroglycerin/1 g ointment), propylene glycol, lanolin, sorbitan sesquioleate, paraffin wax, and white petrolatum. RECTIV (nitroglycerin) Ointment 0.4% is available in tubes with a one-inch dosing line on the carton allowing the measurement of approximately 375 mg of nitroglycerin ointment 0.4% (1.5 mg nitroglycerin) for application. Nitroglycerin is 1,2,3,-propanetriol trinitrate, an organic nitrate whose structural formula is as follows:
What kind of drug is nitroglycerin?: The FDA classifies nitroglycerin as a nitrate vasodilator. Nitrate vasodilators are converted in the body into nitric oxide, which relaxes the smooth muscle in blood vessel walls and widens them. This mainly opens up the veins, reducing how hard the heart must work and relieving chest pain. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take nitroglycerin with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run nitroglycerin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is nitroglycerin sold under?: We track 15 nitroglycerin-containing products in the U.S.: Minitran, Rectiv, Nitrostat, Transderm-Nitro, Tridil, Gonitro, Nitro IV and Nitro-Bid, and 7 more. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does nitroglycerin come in?: Across the brands we track, nitroglycerin is currently marketed as film, extended release, topical, tablet, injectable, powder, patch, spray/inhaler and spray/inhaler, metered, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.