Nitrolingual spray, nitrostat, sublingual isordil and sublingual sorbitrate are used to abort an attack of angina. If 3 doses at 5 minute intervals do not fully relieve the angina, or if the angina reoccurs frequently, it is generally recommended that the patient call 911. These nitrates may also be taken prophylactically before an activity that may cause angina to develop. The other nitrates are used on a regular schedule to prevent angina from occuring.
Nitrates work by dilating the veins in the body, which decreases the workload of the heart.
They also dilate the arteries in the heart to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. They also have a mild antiplatelet effect. If the body is exposed to nitrates continuously, the body becomes tolerant to them and they stop having any effect at all. This is most commonly done at night, when angina is least likely to occur for most people. Nitropatches may be removed at night and oral nitrates are taken at specified times so their effect wears off at night.