Nitroglycerin must be protected from heat and light because it deactivates. Which forms are available for administration?

Nitroglycerin must be protected from heat and light because it deactivates. Which forms are available for administration?

• A. Oral tablets only
• B. Topical ointment
• C. IV, transdermal, sublingual
• D. Inhaled powder

Answer: (C)

Nitroglycerin is extremely sensitive to heat and light, so it must be given in forms that preserve potency and allow reliable, controllable dosing. The forms that are reliably used in clinical practice are sublingual, intravenous, and transdermal. Sublingual administration delivers rapid absorption directly through the mucosa, providing quick relief for acute angina. Intravenous infusion allows titration and precise control of dose in hospital settings. Transdermal delivery provides steady, ongoing drug levels for prophylaxis. Oral tablets are avoided because they undergo extensive first-pass metabolism, which destroys much of the drug and makes them ineffective. While topical ointment exists, the combination of sublingual, IV, and transdermal covers the main, routinely used routes.

Nitroglycerin is extremely sensitive to heat and light, so it must be given in forms that preserve potency and allow reliable, controllable dosing. The forms that are reliably used in clinical practice are sublingual, intravenous, and transdermal. Sublingual administration delivers rapid absorption directly through the mucosa, providing quick relief for acute angina. Intravenous infusion allows titration and precise control of dose in hospital settings. Transdermal delivery provides steady, ongoing drug levels for prophylaxis. Oral tablets are avoided because they undergo extensive first-pass metabolism, which destroys much of the drug and makes them ineffective. While topical ointment exists, the combination of sublingual, IV, and transdermal covers the main, routinely used routes.