Glyceryl trinitrate sublingual spray - used in the treatment of cardiac chest
pain (angina)
Chest pain can be a symptom of many conditions including a heart attack. Glyceryl trinitrate (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 glyceryl trinitrate, 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 glyceryl trinitrate:
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 http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/C/Chest-pain/)
Questions
Q1.
Please indicate in what capacity you are responding to this questionnaire
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registered health professional
carer
patient organisation
family
patient
teacher
member of general public
other (please specify)
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Q2.
(i)
(ii)
Have you or a member of your family or a person under your care ever needed to use this
medicine in an emergency?
Yes
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No
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If so, did you experience any difficulty in obtaining it?
Yes
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No
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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 glyceryl trinitrate
are adequate?
Yes
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No
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(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 glyceryl trinitrate
Yes
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No
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Q5.
Please tick the option you agree/disagree with from the following statements
(i)
Glyceryl trinitrate should be made more widely available to non-medical persons for use
in emergency situations
(ii)
Agree
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Disagree
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Glyceryl trinitrate should be available in
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Schools and colleges
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Sports Centres
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Other, please specify
Q6.
What do you think would be the main benefits to having wider access to glyceryl trinitrate
for 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 glyceryl trinitrate for administration by appropriately trained non-medical
persons in emergency situations?
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Q8.
Q9.
In your opinion is there sufficient information available for patients about this potentially life
threatening medical condition?
Yes
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No
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In your opinion is there sufficient information available for the general public about this
potentially life threatening medical condition?
Yes
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No
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Please save your answers and send to the following email address:
Medicines_Consultation@health.gov.ie
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