What is Isosorbide?
It is a nitrate that dilates blood vessels (enlarges them), making it easier to pump the heart and for blood to flow.
Use of isosorbide mononitrate to prevent attacks. Angina attacks that have already started will not be treated by mononitrate isosorbide.
Warnings
It is not recommended that you take any erectile dysfunction medicine (viagra or cialis) if you are also taking isosorbide mononitrate. Combining these medications can lead to a rapid and severe drop in blood pressure.
If you experience early signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, pressure or pain that spreads to your shoulder or jaw, or sweating and general malaise, seek emergency medical care. Stopping this medication suddenly can cause severe angina. If you stop suddenly, it could lead to a severe angina attack.
When you first begin using the medication, it can cause severe headaches. As you continue using the medication, these headaches could become less severe. Continue to take isosorbide mononitrate. Before taking any medication to relieve headache pain, consult your doctor.
Prevent angina attacks by taking this medication regularly. Refill your prescription before you run out.
Before you take this drug
Use isosorbide mononitrate only if you:
- You are allergic to nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate.
- You have early signs of a heart attack (chest pressure or pain, pain that spreads to your shoulder or jaw, nausea, or sweating).
It is not recommended that you take any erectile dysfunction medicine (viagra or cialis) while taking isosorbide mononitrate. Combining these medications can lead to a rapid and severe drop in blood pressure.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that this medication is suitable for you:
- Congestive heart failure;
- Kidney disease
- Low blood pressure
Animal studies have shown no harm. Inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
It is unknown if isosorbide mononitrate can pass into breast milk or if the baby who is nursing could be affected. Inform your doctor if breastfeeding is taking place.
Similar/related drugs
Amlodipine, lisinopril, metoprolol, aspirin, furosemide, carvedilol, and spironolactone
How to take Isosorbide?
Follow the directions on your prescription label. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally alter your dosage. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dose or take it longer. You may not be able to control your condition if you take too much isosorbide monnitrate.
When taking this medication, try to stay seated or rest. (it can cause dizziness and fainting.) Do not chew or crush a tablet. Swallow the entire tablet.
It is not necessary to take all brands or forms of mononitrate at the same frequency. It is possible that you only need to take this medicine once a day, after waking up in the morning. It is possible that you will need to take a second dose in the afternoon.
Do not forget to follow your doctor's instructions. Your dosage may change if your doctor changes the brand, strength, or type of mononitrate. If you have questions about the brand of medicine that you received at the pharmacy, ask your pharmacist. Prevent angina attacks by taking this medication regularly. Refill your prescription before you run out.
Do not suddenly stop taking isosorbide mononitrate. You could suffer a severe angina attack. Always keep this medication on hand. Refill your prescription before you run out. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.
What happens if i miss the dose?
As soon as possible, take any missed dose. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching quickly, skip it altogether. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if i overdose?
Call poison help at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Overdoses of isosorbide mononitrate are fatal.
Overdose symptoms include a severe headache, a fever, confusion or dizziness (especially if the heartbeat is fast), nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain with bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms are difficulty breathing, sweating or cold skin, convulsions, or fainting.
What should be avoided?
This medicine can impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires alertness. You may get dizzy if you stand up too quickly from a seated or lying position. To avoid a fall, get up slowly.
Do not drink alcohol. Alcohol can increase the side effects of mononitrate.
Side effects Isosorbide
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy to isosorbide mononitrate, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
If you experience:
- Feeling lightheadedness as though they could faint.
- Worsening angina pain;
- Fast or slow heart rate
- You may feel your heart pounding or your chest fluttering.
Mononitrate isosorbide can cause severe headaches. As you continue using nitroglycerin, these headaches may become less severe. You should not stop using this medication to prevent headaches. Before taking any medication to treat headache pain, consult your doctor.
Side effects of isosorbide mononitrate include:
- Headache;
- Dizziness upon standing;
- Flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly sensation)
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The fda can be contacted at 1-800-fda-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
When taken with other medications, isosorbide mononitrate can lead to dangerously low blood pressure. These include medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypotension. There may be serious, even life-threatening side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any new medications or if you will stop taking any of your current ones.
- The erectile dysfunction medications (including viagra, cialis levitra, stendra staxyn, and others) include sildenafil, avanafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil.
- A diuretic, or "water pill".
- Blood pressure medications, including calcium channel blocks (such as procardia and nifedipine);
- Nitroglycerin
- Riociguat (adempas);
This list is incomplete. Other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, may interact with isosorbide mononitrate. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.
