Nitroglycerin Ointment

[travelgypsy]

Has anyone had to use Nitroglycerin Ointment with a fissure and did it cause insane headaches? If so any tips?

 

[Maya142]

My daughter has - it was truly awful. She had such a bad headache that she refused to use it after the first time. Luckily, her fissure healed by itself.

 

[travelgypsy]

Thanks for the response! I am sorry for your daughter !!! They said it would take about a week to adjust to it but I honestly don't know if I can take it again after I felt so horrible today. I am a single mom right now and can't afford to be out of commission like that and my son has Crohns also so I have to be able to take care of him.
Did you do anything else for this fissure?

 

[Maya142]

Just sitz baths, but those were mostly for comfort. It was a real pain until it healed, but it finally did.

Good luck -- my daughter hated the Nitroglycerin so much that I can't even imagine putting up with those headaches for a whole week. Her GI agreed that she should discontinue it since she was so miserable when she used it.

 

[24601]

So sorry that you're getting the headaches. I used nitroglycerin to heal my fissure and was fortunate not to get any headaches but I have read that topical nifedipine is an alternative treatment and useful for those who can't tolerate nitroglycerin.

Topical nifedipine and topical nitroglycerin — Topical nifedipine is a blood pressure medication that works by reducing the internal anal sphincter pressure. Nifedipine is available in pill form for other indications, but is best used for fissure treatment when compounded into gel form and applied directly to the fissure. Topical treatment with 0.2 percent nifedipine four times a day has few side effects.

Nitroglycerin works to dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow to injured tissues. It also works to reduce pressure in the internal anal sphincter, which decreases pain and further facilitates healing.

The dosage of nitroglycerin is usually a small, pea-sized dot of 0.2 percent ointment applied around the anal opening two to three times daily, as well as before and after bowel movements. This strength of nitroglycerin must be compounded (custom-made) by a pharmacist. It is very important to use the correct strength and amount of nitroglycerin ointment to avoid dangerous side effects. It is also important to wash the hands before and after applying the ointment.

Nitroglycerin side effects can include headache and low blood pressure. Headaches are generally mild, last less than 30 minutes, and resolve after two weeks of nitroglycerin use. Dizziness is another possible side effect; patients should sit or lie down to apply the ointment, and should sit or stand up slowly.

Source

I used Sitz baths too and found that very soothing but it is also supposed to have some therapeutic benefit

Sitz baths work by improving blood flow and relaxing the internal anal sphincter.

Good luck! Hope you get it healed soon!