How do you take GoNitro to treat an angina attack (chest pain)?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 27, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

GoNitro (nitroglycerin) is a powder that you put under the tongue (sublingual powder) to relieve or prevent angina (chest pain) attacks caused by coronary artery disease. It contain nitroglycerin, a nitrate vasodilator.

It is best to take GoNitro while resting in a sitting position.

7 steps to using GoNitro

Hold the packet upright with the notch and red arrow line at the top of the GoNitro packet.
Tap the bottom of the packet so that the powder settles to the bottom.
Hold the packet at the notch. Hold the packet as close to your mouth as possible and tear along the red arrow line.
Lift up your tongue.
Pour all of the GoNitro powder in the packet under your tongue.
Close your mouth right away and breathe normally through your nose. Allow all of the powder to dissolve before you swallow. Do not rinse your mouth or spit for five minutes.
If another dose of GoNitro is needed, repeat Steps 1 through 6.

Using GoNitro to treat an angina attack

To treat an angina attack place the contents of one or two packets of GoNitro powder under the tongue at the onset of the attack. An additional packet can be administered every five minutes as required.

Do not use more than three packets within 15 minutes.

Seek medical help straight away if chest pain persists after three packets of GoNitro have been administered.

Using GoNitro to prevent an angina attack

GoNitro can be used 5-10 minutes before an activity that is likely to cause an angina attack to help prevent it. Empty the contents of a packet of GoNitro under the tongue 5-10 minutes before the activity.

References

Food and Drug Administration (FDA). GoNitro. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/208424s000lbl.pdf. [Accessed March 9, 2021].

Does metoprolol lower resting heart rate?

Yes, metoprolol can lower resting heart rate. It is a beta-blocking medication that is used to lower blood pressure, as well as relieve chest pain from angina pectoris. It is also used for the treatment of heart failure and heart attack. Metoprolol comes in both immediate-release and long-acting formulations. Continue reading

Metoprolol Succinate vs Tartrate: What's the difference between them?

Metoprolol is available as two different salts: metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate.

The main difference between metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate is that metoprolol tartrate is only available as an immediate-release tablet which means it must be taken several times per day, whereas metoprolol succinate is an extended-release tablet that can be taken once a day. As a result, there are differences in the dosages and indications for both metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate and they are not considered interchangeable. Continue reading

How quickly does propranolol work?

When propranolol is used to relieve performance, social, or situational anxiety, it works quickly, usually within 30 to 60 minutes to help relieve physical symptoms of anxiety such as flushing, shaking, sweating, trembling, and an elevated heart rate. It is unlikely to relieve the mental symptoms of anxiety (such as mental fog or blankness), but generally relieving some of the physical symptoms improves the mental symptoms. Its effects last for 3 to 4 hours. Continue reading

How do you take GoNitro to treat an angina attack (chest pain)?

7 steps to using GoNitro

Using GoNitro to treat an angina attack

Using GoNitro to prevent an angina attack

Read next

Does metoprolol lower resting heart rate?

Metoprolol Succinate vs Tartrate: What's the difference between them?

How quickly does propranolol work?

See also:

Aimovig

Nurtec ODT

Botox

Depakote

Topamax

Emgality

Timolol

Valproic acid

Divalproex sodium

Topiramate

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups