Glyceryltrinitrate sublingual spray - used in the treatment of cardiac chest pain (angina)
Chest pain can be a symptom of many conditions including a heart attack. Glyceryltrinitrate (GTN) is a medicine that is widely used to provide immediate relief from the symptoms of cardiac chest pain caused by angina or other cardiac problems. GTN belongs to a group of medicines known as nitrates. Nitrates work by relaxing and widening the blood vessels that increase the blood supply to the heart. Ideally GTN should be administered to a person in the sitting or lying position due to the common side effects of syncope (fainting) or dizziness which it can cause.
Current arrangements:
If a person has been diagnosed with stable angina,they may be given a prescription from their doctor for glyceryltrinitrate, as part of their treatment plan. They are advised to carry it with them and ensure they know how to use it in the event of suffering an attack.
Risks associated with misdiagnosis of suspected heart attack and inappropriate administration of glyceryltrinitrate:
GTN should not be administered to people who are allergic to nitrates, those with a very low blood pressure, those who have had a brain haemorrhage or brain trauma. It should not be administered to people on certain medicines to treat, for example, conditions such as high blood pressure or depression, as it further decreases blood pressure in these situations, which may result in collapse.
Read more about the symptoms, knowing when to get help, recognising a heart attack, causes of chest pain, and risk factors for heart disease here )
Questions
Q1.Please indicate in what capacity you are responding to this questionnaire
- registered health professional☐
- carer☐
- patient organisation☐
- family☐
- patient☐
- teacher☐
- member of general public☐
- other (please specify)
Q2.
(i) Have you or a member of your family or a person under your care ever needed to use this medicine in an emergency?
Yes☐
No☐
(ii)If so, did you experience any difficulty in obtaining it?
Yes☐
No☐
If you answered yes please provide details of the difficulties you experienced:
Q3.
(i)Do you think the current arrangements for supply and administration of glyceryltrinitrate are adequate?
Yes☐
No☐
(ii)If No, in what way are they inadequate?
Q4.Do you think non-health professionals, for example carers and teachers whose organisation have been appropriately certified and who have undertaken appropriate training, should be permitted to administer glyceryltrinitrate
Yes☐
No☐
Q5.Please tick the option you agree/disagree with from the following statements
(i)Glyceryltrinitrateshould be made more widely available to non-medicalpersons for use in emergency situations
Agree☐
Disagree☐
(ii)Glyceryltrinitrateshould be available in
•Schools and colleges☐
•Sports Centres☐
•Other, please specify
Q6.What do you think would be the main benefits to having wider access to glyceryltrinitratefor administration in emergency situations by appropriately trained non-medical persons who have been authorised by an approved body / organisation?
Q7.What do you think are the main disadvantages and / or safety concerns to widening the availability of glyceryltrinitratefor administration by appropriately trained non-medical persons in emergency situations?
Q8.In your opinion is there sufficient information available for patients about this potentially life threatening medical condition?
Yes☐
No☐
Q9.In your opinion is there sufficient information available for the general public about this potentially life threatening medical condition?
Yes☐
No☐
Please save your answers and send to the following email address:
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