Potential medication error with transdermal nitroglycerin

Long-acting nitroglycerin preparations are a mainstay of therapy of angina pectoris. The trademark name of one such preparation led to the incorrect administration of a similarly named scopolamine preparation to a patient with angina. Physicians and pharmacists must be alert to the potential for medication error inherent in the brand names for these two preparations. The case also illustrates other aspects of the proper use of transdermal nitroglycerin patches.