Nitroglycerin
According to the FDA label: Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are indicated for the acute relief of an attack or acute prophylaxis of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are a nitrate vasodilator indicated for relief of an attack or prophylaxis of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. ( 1 )
39,068 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (1999–2026)
Top Reported Adverse Events
The most frequently reported events in association with Nitroglycerin in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.
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Dyspnoea 3,358 reports
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Also spelled dyspnea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Pain 3,090 reports
A general report of physical discomfort, used when no more specific location is given.
Full definition in the glossary →Myocardial Infarction 2,684 reports
The medical term for a heart attack.
Full definition in the glossary →Fatigue 2,679 reports
Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that does not improve with rest.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Nausea 2,573 reports
The feeling of sickness in your stomach that often comes before vomiting.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Fall 2,372 reports
A report that the person fell down. Falls are tracked because they can signal issues like dizziness, weakness, or balance problems.
Full definition in the glossary →Chest Pain 2,331 reports
Pain or discomfort in the chest. Chest pain has many causes, but it is always worth taking seriously and discussing with a doctor.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Dizziness 2,302 reports
A feeling of being lightheaded, unsteady, or like the room is spinning.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Drug Ineffective 2,276 reports
A report that the medication did not work as expected for the person taking it. This is a reporting category, not a sign the drug is defective. It simply means someone felt it was not helping their condition.
Full definition in the glossary →Headache 2,096 reports
Pain in the head or upper neck.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Diarrhoea 2,072 reports
Loose or watery bowel movements, often frequent. Also spelled diarrhea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Hypotension 1,957 reports
Renal Failure 1,917 reports
A serious decline in kidney function, where the kidneys can no longer filter waste properly.
Full definition in the glossary →Asthenia 1,865 reports
Physical weakness or lack of strength.
Full definition in the glossary →Anxiety 1,761 reports
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →
Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.
Who Is Reporting
Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.
By Sex
View reporter sex data as a table
| Sex | Reports |
|---|---|
| Male | 19,027 |
| Female | 17,124 |
| Unknown | 33 |
By Age Group
View age group data as a table
| Age group | Reports |
|---|---|
| 0-17 | 185 |
| 18-34 | 386 |
| 35-49 | 1,982 |
| 50-64 | 7,873 |
| 65-74 | 7,669 |
| 75+ | 9,868 |
This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.
Reported Outcomes
Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included Nitroglycerin. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.
View outcome data as a table
| Outcome | Reports |
|---|---|
| Other Serious | 20,356 |
| Hospitalization | 18,687 |
| Non-Serious | 7,142 |
| Death | 5,272 |
| Life-Threatening | 2,415 |
| Disability | 1,298 |
Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.
Report Volume Over Time
Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for Nitroglycerin. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.
View report trend as a table
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 948 |
| 2005 | 1,062 |
| 2006 | 897 |
| 2007 | 676 |
| 2008 | 899 |
| 2009 | 1,199 |
| 2010 | 1,365 |
| 2011 | 2,237 |
| 2012 | 1,664 |
| 2013 | 816 |
| 2014 | 2,365 |
| 2015 | 1,406 |
| 2016 | 1,606 |
| 2017 | 1,689 |
| 2018 | 2,068 |
| 2019 | 2,224 |
| 2020 | 2,075 |
| 2021 | 2,213 |
| 2022 | 2,845 |
| 2023 | 2,835 |
| 2024 | 2,785 |
| 2025 | 2,657 |
| 2026 (partial) | 533 |
The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.
Medications commonly reported with Nitroglycerin
In FDA adverse event reports that mention Nitroglycerin, these medications appeared most often in the same report.
- Aspirin (16,467 reports)
- Furosemide (11,456 reports)
- Clopidogrel (8,388 reports)
- Metoprolol (7,869 reports)
- Acetaminophen (6,730 reports)
This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.
Related Drugs
Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.
Data Source
This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.
View this data on the FDA website →Data last updated: June 2026