What is the most common side effect of nitrates?

The most common side effect of nitrates is headache. Nitrates are vasodilators, meaning they widen blood vessels to improve blood flow, particularly to the heart. This vasodilation can result in increased blood flow to the brain, leading to a headache as a common reaction. It’s important for patients on nitrate therapy to be informed about this side effect, as they may experience headaches frequently, especially after starting treatment or increasing dosage.

Other side effects might occur, such as nausea or muscle cramps, but these are not as commonly reported as headaches. Likewise, while heart palpitations can occur, they are generally less frequent and not characteristic of the typical response to nitrates. This makes headache the standout side effect associated with the use of nitrates in treating conditions such as angina.