Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)

Glyceryl trinitrate is not harmful if used in pregnancy. However, you will not usually need GTN if you're pregnant.

If you're taking GTN for angina, you should be reviewed by a pregnancy specialist (obstetrician) and a heart specialist (cardiologist). You can continue to take GTN until you've had your review.

If you're using GTN to treat anal fissures, speak to your doctor, who may suggest an alternative medicine.

If your doctor, health visitor or midwife says your baby is healthy, you can take or use GTN if you're breastfeeding.

Although there's not much information about using GTN rectal ointment while breastfeeding, it's not thought to cause any side effects in babies. Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the ointment and before picking up your baby.

There is no information about using GTN tablets, sprays or patches while breastfeeding. It is not known how much GTN gets into breast milk, but it's likely to be a very small amount, and too low to cause any side effects.

Talk to your health visitor, midwife, doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any concerns, including if your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual
• seems unusually sleepy or pale
• has a red face (flushing) immediately after breastfeeding

There's no evidence that glyceryl trinitrate affects fertility in either men or women.

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you're:

• trying to get pregnant
• pregnant
• breastfeeding