Which scenario is a contraindication to nitroglycerin use due to drug interaction?

Which scenario is a contraindication to nitroglycerin use due to drug interaction?

• A. If the patient recently took an erectile dysfunction medication.
• B. If the patient has a known allergy to aspirin.
• C. If the patient is on a beta blocker.
• D. If the patient has a history of asthma.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that nitroglycerin can cause significant blood vessel dilation, lowering blood pressure. When a person has recently taken an erectile dysfunction medication (a PDE-5 inhibitor), that drug is already enhancing nitric oxide–mediated vasodilation by preventing the breakdown of cGMP. Combining nitroglycerin with a PDE-5 inhibitor can produce a dangerous, often profound drop in blood pressure, which can lead to fainting, shock, or even life-threatening complications. Because of this interaction, a patient who recently took an erectile dysfunction medication is a contraindication to nitroglycerin. Knowing this helps you screen for potential interactions quickly. An aspirin allergy doesn’t inherently affect nitroglycerin safety, beta blockers are not a contraindication and can be used with nitro, and a history of asthma is not a contraindication either. The key safety concern here is the recent ED medication use.

The main idea here is that nitroglycerin can cause significant blood vessel dilation, lowering blood pressure. When a person has recently taken an erectile dysfunction medication (a PDE-5 inhibitor), that drug is already enhancing nitric oxide–mediated vasodilation by preventing the breakdown of cGMP. Combining nitroglycerin with a PDE-5 inhibitor can produce a dangerous, often profound drop in blood pressure, which can lead to fainting, shock, or even life-threatening complications. Because of this interaction, a patient who recently took an erectile dysfunction medication is a contraindication to nitroglycerin.

Knowing this helps you screen for potential interactions quickly. An aspirin allergy doesn’t inherently affect nitroglycerin safety, beta blockers are not a contraindication and can be used with nitro, and a history of asthma is not a contraindication either. The key safety concern here is the recent ED medication use.