Nitroglycerine
Nitroglycerine
Nitroglycerine (pronounced: /ˌnaɪtroʊˈɡlɪsəriːn/), also known as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), is a medication and explosive compound.
Etymology
The term "Nitroglycerine" is derived from the Greek words "nitron" and "glykys". "Nitron" was the ancient Greek name for the mineral now known as niter, which contains nitrate salts. "Glykys" means "sweet" in Greek, referring to the sweet taste of glycerol, a component of nitroglycerine.
Medical Use
In medicine, nitroglycerine is primarily used as a vasodilator to treat heart conditions such as angina pectoris and chronic heart failure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to the heart.
Side Effects
Common side effects of nitroglycerine include headache, dizziness, and a fast heartbeat. More serious side effects may include low blood pressure and allergic reactions.
Related Terms
- Angina Pectoris: A type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
- Vasodilator: A medication that widens blood vessels.
- Chronic Heart Failure: A condition where the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should.
- Niter: A mineral form of potassium nitrate.
- Nitrate: A polyatomic ion with the molecular formula NO₃⁻.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nitroglycerine
- Wikipedia's article - Nitroglycerine
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