Spray
Trocer 400 mcg/METERED INHALATION Spray
Generic: Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN / Nitroglycerin)
Manufacturer: Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Therapeutic class: Nitrate Vasodilator (Anti-anginal)
What is Trocer?
Trocer 400 mcg/METERED INHALATION spray is a medicine from Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd. that contains Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN / Nitroglycerin), a fast-acting nitrate used to relieve and prevent angina — the tight, squeezing chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood. Sublingual (under-the-tongue) forms act within minutes; longer-acting forms are used for prevention.
Glyceryl trinitrate is converted in the body to nitric oxide, a natural signal that relaxes the muscle in blood vessel walls. Veins widen first, so less blood returns to the heart and its workload drops; the coronary arteries that feed the heart muscle also widen. The heart then needs less oxygen while receiving more — which is why the chest pain eases within minutes of a sublingual dose.
Indications
- Acute angina attack — rapid relief of chest pain (sublingual tablet or spray)
- Prevention before exertion — taken minutes before activity known to trigger chest pain, such as climbing stairs
- Angina prophylaxis — longer-acting tablets or patches to reduce attack frequency
- Hospital uses — heart attack, acute heart failure and blood pressure control during surgery (infusion form)
- Anal fissure — special ointment form, as prescribed
Dosage & Administration
Use Trocer exactly as your doctor directs — the method matters as much as the dose.
- At the first sign of chest pain: sit down, place the tablet under your tongue (or use the spray under the tongue) and let it dissolve — do not swallow or chew it.
- If pain persists, a repeat dose may be taken after 5 minutes as advised, up to the limit your doctor has set (commonly 3 doses in 15 minutes).
- If chest pain is not relieved after the advised doses, or lasts more than 10–15 minutes, treat it as a possible heart attack — call for emergency help and go to hospital immediately.
- For prevention, take a dose 5–10 minutes before the exertion that usually triggers pain.
- Long-acting forms are taken on a schedule with a nitrate-free interval that your doctor will design — never change it yourself, and never stop regular long-acting nitrates abruptly.
Side Effects
Most side effects come from blood vessels widening and are strongest in the first doses:
- Throbbing headache — very common; usually eases with continued use and responds to paracetamol
- Flushing, warmth of the face and neck
- Dizziness, light-headedness or faintness, especially on standing
- Fast heartbeat (palpitations)
- Low blood pressure; nausea
- Burning or tingling under the tongue (sublingual forms) — a sign the tablet is active
- Seek help if: fainting, severe persistent dizziness, blurred vision, or chest pain that does not settle
Precautions & Warnings
- Always sit down before taking a sublingual dose — the sudden pressure drop can cause fainting if you are standing.
- Carry Trocer with you at all times; an angina attack cannot be scheduled.
- Do not drink alcohol around dosing — it multiplies the pressure drop.
- Rise slowly afterwards; avoid driving until dizziness passes.
- Tell your doctor if attacks become more frequent, occur at rest or wake you at night — this is unstable angina and needs urgent review.
- With regular long-acting nitrates, the body develops tolerance — your doctor will plan a daily nitrate-free interval; do not add extra doses yourself.
- Check the expiry and replace sublingual tablets as advised once the bottle is opened — old tablets lose potency.
Drug Interactions
- Erectile dysfunction medicines (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil): absolutely must not be combined — together they can cause a catastrophic, life-threatening fall in blood pressure. A gap of at least 24 hours (sildenafil) or 48 hours (tadalafil) is required, decided by a doctor
- Riociguat: similarly contraindicated
- Other blood pressure medicines, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics: additive pressure drop
- Alcohol: increases dizziness and hypotension
- Ergotamine (migraine): nitrates can oppose it and ergotamine can worsen angina
- Heparin (infusion setting): effect may be reduced
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use — especially any medicine for erection problems.
Contraindications
- Allergy to glyceryl trinitrate or other nitrates
- Use of sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil or riociguat within the prohibited interval
- Severe low blood pressure or shock; severe anaemia
- Raised pressure inside the skull (head injury, brain haemorrhage)
- Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, severe aortic stenosis, constrictive pericarditis (specialist assessment needed)
- Closed-angle glaucoma
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy: Glyceryl trinitrate is used in pregnancy only if the doctor judges the benefit outweighs the risk — human data are limited. It is sometimes used in hospital obstetric settings under specialist supervision. Tell your doctor if you are or may be pregnant before using it regularly.
Lactation: It is not known how much passes into breast milk. Occasional sublingual use is unlikely to be a problem, but discuss regular use with your doctor, who will weigh the options and monitor the baby if needed.
Storage Conditions
Storage is critical for this medicine: glyceryl trinitrate evaporates and loses potency easily. Keep sublingual tablets in the original glass container, tightly closed, without cotton wool or other tablets inside, away from heat, light and moisture — not in a car or pocket close to the body for long periods. Store below 25–30°C, replace opened sublingual tablets as advised (often every 8 weeks to 6 months per manufacturer), and keep out of the reach of children. Spray forms last longer — check the label and expiry date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How exactly should I take Trocer during a chest pain attack?
<p><strong>Sit down first</strong> — the medicine drops your blood pressure quickly and you may faint if standing. Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve (do not swallow or chew), or spray under the tongue. Rest while it works; relief usually starts in 1–5 minutes. If pain continues after 5 minutes, repeat as your doctor advised (commonly up to 3 doses in 15 minutes). <strong>If the pain is still there after that, or lasts beyond 10–15 minutes, treat it as a possible heart attack — call for help and get to hospital immediately. Do not drive yourself.</strong></p>
Why does Trocer give me a headache, and will it go away?
<p>The headache is the most common side effect and is actually a sign the medicine is working — Trocer widens blood vessels everywhere, including in the head, which causes a throbbing ache. It is usually worst with the first doses and becomes much milder as your body adjusts over days to weeks. Paracetamol can help, and sitting quietly until it passes is sensible. Do not stop the medicine because of headache; but if headaches are severe, persistent or different from usual, tell your doctor.</p>
How should I store Trocer so it keeps working?
<p>This medicine evaporates easily, and weak tablets may fail you in an emergency. Keep sublingual tablets in their <strong>original tightly-closed glass container</strong> — never transfer them to a pill box or plastic bag, never store cotton wool or other tablets in the bottle, and keep it away from heat, light and dampness (not the car dashboard, not a trouser pocket against the body all day). Replace opened tablets as the pack advises, and check the tingling under the tongue — little or no tingling can mean the tablets have lost strength and need replacing. Always carry it with you.</p>
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