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$Title{pentaerythritol tetranitrate}
$Subject{Duotrate Plateau Caps Jones Medical Naptrate Vortech Pentylan Lannett
Peritrate Parke-Davis SA Antianginal pentaerythritol tetranitrate
angina chest pain dilates widens blood vessels oxygen heart}
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Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.


pentaerythritol tetranitrate
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)

     Duotrate Plateau Caps (Jones Medical)
     Naptrate (Vortech)
     Pentylan (Lannett)
     Peritrate (Parke-Davis)
     Peritrate SA (Parke-Davis)
     P.E.T.N. (various manufacturers)

TYPE OF DRUG

     Antianginal

INGREDIENT

     pentaerythritol tetranitrate

DOSAGE FORMS

     Tablets (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg)
     Sustained-release tablets (80 mg)
     Sustained-release capsules (30 mg, 45 mg, and 80 mg)

STORAGE

     Pentaerythritol tetranitrate should be stored at room temperature in
tightly closed containers.  This medication loses potency if exposed to heat
or moisture.

USES

     Pentaerythritol tetranitrate is used to prevent angina (chest pain).  It
dilates (widens) blood vessels, which increases the oxygen supply to the
heart, thereby preventing chest pain.  It is not effective in relieving pain
once an angina attack has begun.

TREATMENT

     To ensure that the maximum amount of medication is absorbed into the
bloodstream, you should take pentaerythritol tetranitrate on an empty stomach
at least 30 minutes before or one hour after a meal with a glass of water
(unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     The sustained-release tablets or capsules should be swallowed whole.
Chewing, crushing, or breaking these tablets or capsules destroys their
sustained-release activity and possibly increases the side effects.
     If you miss a dose of this medication and remember within two hours (six
hours for the sustained-release tablets or capsules), take the missed dose
immediately and then return to your regular dosing schedule.  If more than two
hours have passed (six hours for the sustained-release tablets or capsules),
do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing
schedule.  Never double the dose (unless your doctor specifically directs you
to do so).

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Dizziness, flushing or redness of the face and neck, headache,
light-headedness, nausea, or vomiting.  These effects should disappear as your
body adjusts to the drug.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     The use of acetaminophen may help relieve mild headaches that you may
experience when taking this drug.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
fainting, palpitations, or skin rash.

INTERACTIONS

     Alcohol can increase the blood-pressure-lowering effects of
pentaerythritol tetranitrate, which can lead to serious side effects.  You
should, therefore, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages at any time while taking
this medication.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to pentaerythritol tetranitrate or to any other
nitrate product (such as erythrityl tetranitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, or
nitroglycerin).
     * Before you take this drug, be sure to tell your doctor if you have ever
had anemia, a heart attack, or thyroid disease.
     * If this medication makes you dizzy or light-headed, avoid taking part
in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery.
     * Tolerance to this drug can develop after prolonged use.  If you begin
to notice a decrease in effectiveness, contact your doctor.  Do not increase
the dosage of this drug unless you first check with your doctor.  Also,
stopping the drug abruptly can lead to a worsening in your condition.  Your
doctor may, therefore, want to reduce your dosage gradually.
     * Before taking any over-the-counter (nonprescription) cough, cold,
allergy, asthma, sinus, or diet preparation, check with your doctor.  Some of
these products can reduce the effectiveness of pentaerythritol tetranitrate.
     * If you find whole or partially dissolved sustained-release tablets or
capsules in your stool, contact your doctor.  This indicates that you are not
digesting and absorbing the tablets or capsules completely.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although
pentaerythritol tetranitrate appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive
studies in humans have not been conducted.  Also, tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  It is not known whether pentaerythritol
tetranitrate passes into breast milk.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.