What is a common side effect of nitroglycerin administration?

The common side effect of nitroglycerin administration is headache. This occurs because nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, which means it works by relaxing and widening blood vessels to improve blood flow, particularly to the heart. As the blood vessels expand, this can lead to increased blood flow in the brain and the subsequent development of headaches.

When patients are administered nitroglycerin, this vasodilation often triggers intracranial vessel widening, which is a key factor in the onset of headaches. This side effect is frequently reported among patients taking nitroglycerin, especially during the initial doses or adjustments to the medication.

In contrast, while nausea can occur with various medications, it is less commonly associated with nitroglycerin. Anxiety is not a typical direct side effect of nitroglycerin, although it can occur in patients experiencing chest pain or anxiety due to their condition. Hypertension would be an unlikely reaction since nitroglycerin is designed to lower blood pressure through vasodilation.