Nitroglycerin and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2010

Nitroglycerin for Angina "My cardiologist recommended this drug to relieve shortness of breath at night due to atrial fibrillation. The sublingual 0.4 mg tablet gives a slight burning sensation under the tongue, which is not uncomfortable. A slight headache was felt on the forehead but was of short duration. The immediate dilation of the blood vessels achieves relief within one minute. Very positive results."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "Dealt with anal fissures for multiple years. Lived in 24/7 anxiety. Spent countless hours researching the internet for solutions. Felt like I was becoming as knowledgeable as a colorectal surgeon. The first couple of times I tried Rectiv, the headaches were insane. Very intense. To the point I quit taking it. I started up again and dealt with it, and after a couple of days, the headaches went away—as did my symptoms. The 0.4% nitro solution can be made into a 0.2% compound at a specialty pharmacy—which will ease the headaches. (And only cost $17!) Bottom line is: the stuff works."

• Ame...
• May 31, 2017

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "I struggled with intense pain and bleeding due to a fissure for several months. Assuming it was hemorrhoids, I tried multiple over-the-counter medicines, but nothing worked. My OB/GYN was the one who realized it was a fissure and prescribed Rectiv. The headaches were rough at first, and I almost quit using the ointment because of them. I'm so glad I didn't, though. Within one week, the headaches were gone, and my fissure symptoms were calming down. By week two, I was totally back to normal-no pain, no bleeding. I continued using it for another week, just to be sure I was completely healed. I've been off it for two weeks now, and I'm still symptom-free. I can't sing the praises of this medicine enough!!"

• sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2021

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "This medicine sat on my shelf for over 6 months - I was so afraid of the 'worst headache ever' described in many posts. I finally became desperate enough to use it and am on the 5th day now. Please don't be afraid to try this. It has absolutely helped the fissure. No pain or blood the last 3 days (after over 1 year of pain and bleeding). Every application I do get an unpleasant pressure sensation in my head immediately (which is creepy), but it does go away in an hour. Only once was it a full-on headache and I think I used too much of the product. But not even so bad of a headache that I took Tylenol or Advil for it. Be very careful to only apply the 1 inch amount. The product does burn my skin a bit - I suspect the PEG or lanolin ingredients. If I ever need it again, I would ask about a compounding pharmacy preparing a hypo-allergenic version. I am F, 5'7 weight 120. I am usually very sensitive to medicines and often choose pediatric doses of products."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2018

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "I suffered for over a year with an anal fissure that was so painful I’d lay in the bath 3-4 times a day to get relief. It was also infected and was leaking a horrible, smelly, clear discharge. I finally went to the doctor and had it checked out. He prescribed this to see if it would work, and within a couple weeks I was healed and had 0 pain. The headaches only last a week or less from the first use. This stuff is amazing, and I can’t praise it enough. I thought I was gonna have to deal with the excruciating pain forever."

• Cos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2021

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "I have been struggling with an anal fissure for about 3 months. Tried prescription-strength lidocaine, which didn’t help at all. Today, my doctor prescribed Rectiv, and I have to say it really, really works to alleviate the pain in my butt. That’s the good news. The bad news is that within literally 5 minutes of applying an inch of Rectiv, I am experiencing one of the worst headaches I have ever had. It is excruciating to even look at this screen. Took over-the-counter headache meds, but after three hours, still no relief from the headache. It’s almost worse than the pain from the fissure. Almost, but not quite. The other problem with this medication is my insurance will only cover 20% of the cost. That means I paid $499.00 out of pocket for one tube of this ointment! This is unacceptable. Drug manufacturers and insurance companies have got to get together and work this out so average people can afford this care. If I were on a fixed income, there would be no way to get access."

• Ugh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2020

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "Worst headache ever, instantly after application of Rectiv. It does alleviate the rectal hell I've experienced. I am miserable, and I'm just praying this heals. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER I CAN DO THE FISSURE OR THIS MEDICATION."

• Fis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2021

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "My advice is to take 2 Tylenol Extra Strength or ibuprofen 15 min before applying nitroglycerin ointment to the anal area. This will help with the headache that you will get. Use a small dab, like on a cotton swab, and apply to the outside of the anus. Inside application and you're asking for a tear-your-head-apart headache. Do this at night when you are home for the day. I wouldn't advise using this before or during the workday, because you can experience a back-of-the-head migraine for around 1-2 hours. And you more than likely won't make it through the workday."

• JLa...
• May 10, 2021

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "After countless visits to the doctor, an emergency room physician figured out I had a fissure and not hemorrhoids. For the side effect of headache? Take some Advil and drink some water, and it doesn’t even hurt anymore. This medication works. In the three days I’ve been using it, my pain has reduced substantially, and my bleeding has stopped."

• APa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2020

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "I've been using this ointment for three days now and just started noticing that bowel movements are less painful. The headache side effect is a real thing, but for me, it isn't strong and only lasts for about 20-30 minutes. It does happen every single time though, and it's almost instant. My insurance did cover this, but I still paid $80.00 for one tube."

• RNa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2019

For Anal Fissure and Fistula "I'm a GI nurse, and I was in so much pain. Tried to self-manage, thinking it was only hemorrhoids, but in fact, I had a good-sized fissure and was prescribed this. Yes, it is expensive, I was almost tempted to leave it at the pharmacy, but I decided that I needed to just take care of the issue. First dose was scary, I had palpitations, I was sweating, and I instantly got a headache. For my second dose, I used a little less (pea-sized), and it was okay. Yes, there is a headache, but it went away within an hour. I’m on day 3, and I’m already seeing an improvement. I don’t think I would use it for 3 weeks like I was prescribed, but yes, meds work. FYI, use gloves when handling this med."

• AL5...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2020

For Anal Fissure and Fistula "This part of the leaflet my hospital NHS gave me. About 60-70% of people with a chronic anal fissure are cured with a 6-8 week course of GTN. Therefore, the chance of a cure by using GTN is better than with the supportive method alone. You should rub a pea-sized amount of the ointment into the skin around the rim of the anus 2-3 times a day. Do not push it inside the anus. If you do, it will be absorbed into the bloodstream 3, and you are more likely to get side effects, such as a headache. It is important that you complete the full course of treatment, as it may take 6-8 weeks of treatment for the fissure to heal fully. However, symptoms such as pain may ease quickly. Hope it helps, guys and girls."

• Cba...
• April 25, 2019

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "Tried this cream (Rectiv) once, and I had a severe headache. Not knowing it was the cause, I tried the second dose, and I had an excruciating headache that not even painkillers could take away. Didn’t take it again..."

• Cba...
• April 25, 2019

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "Tried this cream (Rectiv) once, and I had a severe headache. Not knowing it was the cause, I tried the second dose, and I had an excruciating headache that not even painkillers could take away. Didn’t take it again..."

• pis...
• January 23, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I went in for my Medicare 1st physical for the insurance. I liked the doctor. My blood pressure was high, 191/113, which was about average for me. In fact, just days before my appointment it was 234/117. Anyway, he wanted me to go to the hospital. I said no and signed a paper so he would not be responsible. Fine. He then proceeded to have his assistant put a nitro bid 25 on my chest and sent me home with a prescription of clonidine. By the time I arrived home, my head was screaming off my shoulders. I was having chest pressure, weak, and could not function. I spent the next 3 days in bed. He said to keep it on for 6 hours. I was done at 5. My blood pressure went to 237/120. As far as the clonidine, let's see, it causes liver and kidney failure, makes you weak, fatigued, can't drive, headaches, causes you to lose your hair, and makes you nauseated. So how are these things helping my blood pressure? Oh, by the way, I felt great before going to the doctor."

• K9a...
• December 2, 2020

For Angina "The only variable in my routine is that I took Valerian Root to help me sleep. I have been using it for a week, following the directions on the bottle. It wasn't having any effect helping me sleep, so I increased the dose. Within 30 minutes of taking it, my heart symptoms started: severe pain, etc. I decided to try nitroglycerin instead of calling an ambulance for several reasons, including not wanting to get COVID at the hospital. It mostly relieved the chest pain, but only temporarily, so I took more nitroglycerin for a total of 4 times, one pill at a time, with the same results. After 6 hours, the pain went away. I am not going to take Valerian Root again, and I hope that I won't experience chest pain. Today I feel horrible: dull headache, tingling hands, listless, out of it mentally, and sluggish physically. But no more chest pain. I attribute these feelings to nitroglycerin."

• AFa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2021

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "I developed a fissure just before the pandemic and was only able to get a virtual appointment. I was prescribed Rectiv, and it did provide relief. I experienced a dull, but unpleasant headache for a couple of weeks before I adjusted, and the headaches improved and eventually went away. It did help with pain relief and some healing, but the fissure never healed, and I ended up having a surgical procedure to repair it."

• mas...
• December 8, 2016

For Anal Fissure and Fistula "Had a bleeding fissure for several years. Nitroglycerin mixture healed it within two days. As the doctor suggested, I continued to use it for a month. I do not know if it will be a permanent fix. I did get headaches from it. Wasn't too bad though, and given that it worked... BTW, my doctor had a compounding pharmacy create the mixture. It cost $22 for a year's supply. I noticed a prescription equivalent like Rectiv costs around $500. Thanks, doctor!"

• Mfi...
• January 23, 2020

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "I have never had such a severe headache in my life. Made the mistake of using before bed. Headache kept me up all night into the morning, finally had to take caffeine pills to try to constrict the blood vessels in my head. I will NEVER use this again. Rather have pain in my butt than feel like my head is being ripped apart."

• Lau...
• June 4, 2019

Nitroglycerin "I had a chronic anal fissure that kept returning. The last flare-up was for 4 straight months. I couldn’t sit down, sitz baths only relieved my symptoms for minutes until the pain returned for hours on end. This medicine (although it does give you a headache, not unbearable) healed my fissure and stopped the pain within days of use. Only thing that has worked."

• Mrn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2021

For Anal Fissure and Fistula "Had fissure for 18 months due to chronic idiopathic constipation. I used to bleed every time I had a bowel motion and had severe pain. I was on this before, but it didn't work, so trying once more, otherwise, I'll need a Botox injection. Anyway, I've been on it for over a week, and yes, had a slight headache and been very dizzy. I still am getting pain, but so far no bleeding! I will continue for 7-11 weeks, fingers crossed for y'all. I'm 5'2" and 100 lbs. 24. BTW."

• ama...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2015

For Anal Fissure and Fistula "The best magic medication for fissure pain. I was suffering for 3 months, was in severe pain, and was getting mentally frustrated, but just after twice use, all pain vanished. Really amazing product, bear headache and use paracetamol to counter it."

• Lee...
• September 3, 2018

For Anal Fissure and Fistula "I have gone to my new surgeon. She had done a colonoscopy on me. After that, I went to the follow-up. She said I have a really bad fissure tear with hemorrhoids, so she gave me this medicine. She said it will make you dizzy, have headaches, or even fall down. I am 24 years old, I have had this pain for almost 2-3 years with blood in my stool. She even put me on a high-fiber diet. I am now taking stool softeners and Metamucil. So, she said to start with a pea size, then an inch pea size 1-3 times a day. If you can, start with 1 inch, 12 hours a day, then do another pea size if you took a shower or a bowel movement. Side effects I had: weakness, headaches, feeling a little dizzy. Let's see the results when I go back to the surgeon, I hope for no surgery. But once I got used to it, I barely had headaches. Mild, after a month and a half of using, cannot remember."

• Jay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 14, 2022

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "I had a fistula that was extremely painful for over a year, and I needed surgery. I was prescribed Rectiv until the surgery, and it helped within 30 min of using. It does cause severe headaches. I took ibuprofen right before using the ointment, and I didn't get the headache again. I’ve found that Rectiv has also helped with tenesmus and hemorrhoid pain, although it isn’t usually prescribed for that, but it should be because it gives so much relief from those issues too."

• RMS...
• March 10, 2017

Nitroglycerin for Anal Fissure and Fistula "I've been on Rectiv for 2 weeks alongside an initial 10-day course of Cipro for a fistula. The Rectiv does cause an immediate headache within minutes of use, but after a few days it goes away, or you get used to it. I did notice relief of pain and swelling for a while until a sudden return of the pain, fistula, and swelling! For no apparent reason and after no sudden changes in diet! Seeing my doctor tomorrow to try and determine another angle."