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Pharmaranks rates Rectiv 3.5/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Rectiv (Nitroglycerin) is a nitrate vasodilator used to treat Angina Pectoris, Eclampsia, Fissure in Ano, Heart Failure.

Nitroglycerin · by Abbvie

Available as a generic: Nitroglycerin

70/100Limited · 1 source

Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated October 9, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass

Key facts

Active ingredient
Nitroglycerin
Form
Topical
Strength
Nitroglycerin 0.4% **Federal Register Determination That Product was not Discontinued or Withdrawn for Safety or Effectiveness reasons**
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
Manufacturer
Abbvie
What the pharmacy pays
~$4.15 for 30 — not your price
FDA application
NDA021359
Availability
Discontinued (per FDA)

What is Rectiv?

From the FDA label: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:

How to use

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 ) 01image

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)…

Warnings

Important safety information

Cardiovascular Disorders: Venous and arterial dilatation as a consequence of nitroglycerin treatment can result in hypotension. Exercise caution when treating patients with any of the following conditions: blood volume depletion, existing hypotension, cardiomyopathies, congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or poor cardiac function for other reasons ( 5.1 ). Headache: Nitroglycerin produces dose-related headaches which may be severe ( 5.2 ) 5. 1 Cardi ovascular disorders Venous and arterial dilatation as a consequence of nitroglycerin treatment including RECTIV, can decrease venous blood returning to the heart and reduce arterial vascular resistance and systolic pressure. Exercise caution when treating patients with any of the following conditions: blood volume depletion, existing hypotension, cardiomyopathies, congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or poor cardiac function for other reasons. If patients with any of these conditions are treated with RECTIV, monitor cardiovascular status and clinical condition. The adverse reactions of RECTIV are likely to be more pronounced in the elderly. 5. 2 Headache RECTIV produces dose-related headaches, which may be severe. Tolerance to headaches occurs.

Who should not take Rectiv

Use of PDE5 inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil) as these are shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of organic nitrates. ( 4.1 ). Severe anemia ( 4.2 ) Increased intracranial pressure ( 4.3 ) Known hypersensitivity to nitroglycerin, other nitrates and nitrites, or any components of the ointment. ( 4.4 ) 4.1 PDE5 inhibitor use Administration of RECTIV is contraindicated in patients who are using a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil, as these are shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of organic nitrates [see DRUG INTERACTIONS ( 7.1 ) ] . 4.2 Severe anemia RECTIV is contraindicated in patients with severe anemia. 4.3 Increased intracranial pressure RECTIV is contraindicated in patients with increased intracranial pressure. 4.4 Hypersensitivity RECTIV is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to it or to other nitrates or nitrites. Skin reactions consistent with hypersensitivity have been observed with organic nitrates.

Overdose — what happens if you take too much

Nitroglycerin toxicity is generally mild. The estimated adult oral lethal dose of nitroglycerin is 200 mg to 1,200 mg. Infants may be more susceptible to toxicity from nitroglycerin. Consultation with a poison center should be considered. Laboratory determinations of serum levels of nitroglycerin and its metabolites are not widely available, and such determinations have, in any event, no established role in the management of nitroglycerin overdose. No data are available to suggest physiological maneuvers (e.g., maneuvers to change the pH of the urine) that might accelerate elimination of nitroglycerin and its active metabolites. Similarly, it is not known which, if any, of these substances can usefully be removed from the body by hemodialysis. No specific antagonist to the vasodilator effects of nitroglycerin is known, and no intervention has been subject to controlled study as a therapy of nitroglycerin overdose. Because the hypotension associated with nitroglycerin overdose is the result of venodilatation and arterial hypovolemia, prudent therapy in this situation should be directed toward increase in central fluid volume. Passive elevation of the patient’s legs may be sufficient, but intravenous infusion of normal saline or similar fluid may also be necessary. The use of epinephrine or other arterial vasoconstrictors in this setting is not recommended. In patients with…

U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.

Interactions

PDE5 inhibitors: potentiation of hypotensive effects of organic nitrates; concomitant use is contraindicated. ( 4.1 , 7.1 ) Antihypertensives: possible additive hypotensive effects. ( 7.2 ) Aspirin: increased nitroglycerin levels. ( 7.3 ) Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator (t-PA): decreased thrombolytic effect. ( 7.4 ) Heparin: anticoagulant effect of heparin may be reduced. Monitor APTT. ( 7.5 ) Ergotamine: increased bioavailability of ergotamine. ( 7.6 ) Alcohol: Additive vasodilatory effects to nitroglycerin. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided. ( 7.7 ) 7.1 PDE5 inhibitors Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil have been shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of organic nitrates. The time course of the interaction appears to be related to the half-life of the PDE5 inhibitor, however, the dose dependence of this interaction has not been studied. Use of RECTIV within a few days of PDE5 inhibitors is contraindicated. 7.2 Antihypertensives Patients receiving antihypertensive drugs, beta-adrenergic blockers, and other nitrates should be observed for possible additive hypotensive effects when using RECTIV. Marked orthostatic hypotension has been reported when calcium channel blockers and organic nitrates were used concomitantly. Beta-blockers blunt the reflex tachycardia produced by nitroglycerin without preventing its hypotensive effects. If beta-blockers are used with RECTIV in patients with angina pectoris, additional hypotensive effects may occur. 7.3 Aspirin Coadministration of aspirin (at doses between 500 mg and 1000 mg) and nitroglycerin has been reported to result in increased nitroglycerin maximum concentrations by as much as 67% and AUC by 73% when administered as a single dose. The pharmacological effects of RECTIV may be enhanced by concomitant administration of aspirin. 7.4 Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) Intravenous administration of nitroglycerin decreases the thrombolytic effect of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). Plasma levels of t-PA are reduced when coadministered with nitroglycerin. Therefore, caution should be observed in patients receiving RECTIV during t-PA therapy. 7.5 Heparin Although an interaction has been reported between intravenous heparin and intravenous nitroglycerin (resulting in a decrease in the anticoagulant effect of heparin), the data are not consistent. If patients are to receive intravenous heparin and RECTIV concurrently, the anticoagulation status of the patient must be checked. 7.6 Ergotamine Oral administration of nitroglycerin markedly decreases the first-pass metabolism of dihydroergotamine and consequently increases its oral bioavailability. Ergotamine is known to precipitate angina pectoris. Therefore the possibility of ergotism in patients receiving RECTIV should be considered. 7.7 Alcohol The vasodilating effects of nitroglycerin have been shown to be additive to the effects observed with alcohol.

Drug class

How this class works, per Nitrates - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

Dosage forms

Topical

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

Ways to save

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Request a 90-day supply

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Use copay cards

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Frequently asked questions

What does Rectiv treat?
Rectiv (Nitroglycerin) may be used to treat angina pectoris, eclampsia, fissure in ano, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, intraoperative complications, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
How does Rectiv work?
Rectiv is 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.
How is Rectiv rated?
pharmaranks gives Rectiv a composite score of 3.5 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
How much does Rectiv cost?
Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $4.15 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
Is there a coupon or discount for Rectiv?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Rectiv. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Rectiv?
Rectiv is marketed by Abbvie. You can see Abbvie's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Rectiv a brand-name or generic drug?
Rectiv is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Nitroglycerin. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Nitroglycerin are available — ask your pharmacist.
Is Rectiv available over the counter?
No. Rectiv is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Rectiv come in?
Rectiv is currently marketed as topical, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
What class of drug is Rectiv?
Rectiv is classified as nitrate vasodilator, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
Is Rectiv FDA-registered?
Rectiv is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA021359. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Has Rectiv been recalled by the FDA?
Yes. Rectiv has 1 recorded FDA recall event in the openFDA enforcement database. A recall removes specific lots from the market — usually for manufacturing, contamination, potency, or labeling issues — and does not mean the drug is unsafe to take; your specific lot was almost certainly never affected. This recall history is factored into its safety score above. Always check the FDA recall database or your pharmacist for current alerts.
Is Rectiv safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Rectiv a recall-safety score of 70/100, based on its FDA recall history (1 recorded recall event) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Rectiv?
Rectiv's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: 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.… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

What people report to the FDA about NITROGLYCERIN

The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 41,740 reports naming NITROGLYCERIN — the active ingredient in Rectiv, and the FDA flagged 81% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:

  • dyspnoea3,560 reports
  • fatigue2,830 reports
  • myocardial infarction2,779 reports
  • nausea2,763 reports
  • chest pain2,503 reports
  • fall2,486 reports
  • dizziness2,459 reports
  • headache2,281 reports

Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean NITROGLYCERIN caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.

Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 25, 2026.

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