nitro

Medical abbreviation · Drug

nitro
Stands forNitroglycerin
CategoriesMedical

nitro stands for Nitroglycerin, a drug abbreviation.

Common clinical shorthand for nitroglycerin in any form, as in "nitro paste", "nitro spray" or "nitro drip". Patients with angina often carry "nitro" tablets or spray for chest pain.

Example: Started nitro drip at 10 mcg/min and titrated for chest pain relief.

Usage notes

ISMP lists "nitro drip" as error-prone because it has been confused with sodium nitroprusside, a different and more potent vasodilator often called "Nipride". Writing "nitroglycerin infusion" avoids the mix-up. Nitroglycerin is usually given through special non-PVC tubing because PVC absorbs the drug.

More drug abbreviations

  • MTX – Methotrexate
  • MVI – Multivitamin infusion
  • N2O – Nitrous oxide
  • NAC – N-acetylcysteine
  • NE – Norepinephrine
  • Neo – Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine)
  • NPH – Neutral protamine Hagedorn (isophane insulin)
  • NTG – Nitroglycerin
  • NTX – Naltrexone
  • NVP – Nevirapine
  • ORS – Oral rehydration solution
  • OXC – Oxcarbazepine

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Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.