-Health Canada says there’s a shortage of nitroglycerin sprays and tablets in the country.
There’s a shortage of spray, and as a result, a shortage of tablets because of the increased demand for them.
The spray shortage is due to supply issues due to the raw materials used to make them.
Nitroglycerin tablets and sprays are placed and applied under your tongue to treat pain during episodes of angina, in people with coronary artery disease.
Health Canada is expecting to have limited amounts in hospitals and pharmacies this spring, so officials are looking at ways of conserving the existing supply.
They’re advising that you hang onto even expired products when possible.
If you use those products for angina, they’re asking that you speak with your healthcare professional on how to handle the situation.
What to do: Speak with your healthcare professional about how best to manage any impact of this shortage. Obtain only the amount you need. Keep expired product and check the table below to determine whether the expiry date of your product has been extended.
Affected products
Company | Product |
Mylan | Mylan-Nitro Sublingual Spray (DIN 02243588) |
Sandoz | RHO-Nitro Pumpspray (DIN 02238998) |
Sanofi | Nitrolingual Pumpspray (DIN 02231441) |
BGP Pharma | Nitrostat Sublingual Tablets 0.3 mg (DIN 00037613) and 0.6 mg (DIN 00037621) – added on May 10, 2023 |
Products with Approved Extended Expiry Dates
In response to the shortage Health Canada requested that manufacturers determine if certain products could be safely used beyond their printed expiry. Health Canada reviews the information to ensure that the product is safe and will work beyond the printed expiry date. Products with extended expiry dates will be listed below. The chart will be updated as information becomes available.
To determine if a product has an Extended Expiry Date, people should verify whether the Lot Number and Printed Expiry Date on the bottle correspond to any of the lots listed in the chart below. Please see reference image for assistance. People may also wish to seek the assistance of a healthcare professional, such as a pharmacist, to verify. Products should NOT be consumed beyond their Extended Expiry Date listed below.
Product Name | Lot Number | Original (Printed) Expiry Date | Extended Expiry Date |
Mylan-Nitro Sublingual Spray (DIN: 02243588) | 9F715 | 06/2022 | 06/2023 |
9F717 | 06/2022 | 06/2023 | |
0B847 | 02/2023 | 02/2024 | |
0B853 | 02/2023 | 02/2024 | |
OF904 | 06/2023 | 06/2024 | |
OG910 | 07/2023 | 07/2024 | |
0H919 | 08/2023 | 08/2024 |
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