Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate, GTN) is a nitrate that releases nitric oxide, relaxing veins and arteries and reducing the heart's workload. Sprayed or dissolved under the tongue, it relieves angina within minutes; as patches or ointment it prevents angina and treats anal fissures; by drip it treats acute heart failure and very high blood pressure.
Nitroglycerin is activated into nitric oxide largely by mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, ALDH2. The gene studies listed found that people with the ALDH2*2 variant, common in East Asian populations, form less nitric oxide and may get less relief from nitroglycerin under the tongue. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.
Every published finding on gene variants and Nitroglycerin. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
ACE Inhibitors (class) (ACE Inhibitors)
Acenocoumarol (Anticoagulants)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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