Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate
Description
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate is used to treat and prevent chest pain (angina). Angina is caused due to the narrowing of blood vessels that carries blood to the heart. This medicine relaxes the blood vessels and also decreases the load on the heart ensuring the effective pumping of blood.
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate show side effects like headache, warmth and tingling feeling, changes in the heartbeat, etc. It may also cause dizziness in some individuals. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy after taking this medicine. Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medicine as it may increase the risk of dizziness. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate can be taken on an empty stomach. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of this medicine based on your medical condition. Do not stop taking this medicine on your own. Your risk of chest pain will increase, especially if you stop taking them suddenly. Eat healthy (low-fat, high-fibre, low-sodium diet), quit smoking, increase your physical activity, watch your weight, and reduce stress to improve your heart condition.
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate may make you develop a tolerance for this medicine with time, meaning that the same dose may be less effective next time. Follow the prescribed dosing schedule or consult your doctor if your current medicine is not improving your condition to avoid this. Stop taking medications (prescribed for erectile dysfunction) like Sildenafil or Tadalafil while on treatment with this medicine as it may cause low blood pressure.
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate should be used with caution if you have any medical problem with the liver, kidney, heart, etc. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate
- Bluish discoloration of lips, fingernails, palm, or hands
- Irregular heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness and fainting
- Headache
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Redness of skin
- Burning, numbness, tingling in the arms and feet
- Agitation and anxiety
- Sleeplessnes
Uses of Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate
What is it prescribed for?
- Angina pectoris
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionIsosorbide-5-Mononitrate may start showing its effect within one hour after taking it. However, this time is subject to vary depending on the dosage form of the medicine.
- Duration of effectIsosorbide-5-Mononitrate may remain effective in the body for about five to six hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate as it may increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty in concentrating. Avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving or operating machines if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
- Is it habit forming?Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate has no habit forming tendency.
- Usage in pregnancy?Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Anaemia
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate is not recommended for use if you have anaemia (low levels of haemoglobin in the blood) due to the increased risk of worsening of the condition.
Obstructive heart disease
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate is not recommended for use in individuals having a heart condition where the blood vessels in the heart have blockage due to swelling or narrowing.
Head trauma/ Increased intracranial pressure
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate is not recommended for use in individuals having a severe head injury or increased intracranial pressure due to the increased risk of worsening of the condition.
Medicine for erectile dysfunction
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate is not recommended for use if you are taking medicines for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. One of the most commonly used medicines for this condition is Viagra (Sildenafil),
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Hypotension
Use of Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate can cause a fall in blood pressure in general and may make you feel dizzy especially while getting up from a lying or sitting position (Postural hypotension).
Driving vehicles or operating machines
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate may cause symptoms such as dizziness, visual disturbances, fainting, weakness, etc. in some individuals. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving or operating machines if you experience any of these symptoms during or immediately after taking this medicine.
Withdrawal symptoms
Abrupt discontinuation of Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate may increase the risk of side effects. A gradual dose reduction is recommended to avoid these reactions. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Nitrate free interval
The likelihood of development of Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate tolerance is very high if this medicine is taken very regularly. A minimal amount of nitrate-free time is required to avoid tolerance is 10-12 hr/day. The tolerance developed is in general for nitrates and may affect other medicines containing nitrates (cross-tolerance).
Recurring headaches
Use of Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate may cause recurring headaches in some individuals. These headaches can be treated using paracetamol or aspirin.
Use in children
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate is not recommended for use in children less than 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Do not miss the dose of Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate. In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate as it may increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty in concentrating. Avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving or operating machines if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
Interaction with Medicine
Amitriptyline
Riociguat
Alprazolam
Flurazepam
Baclofen
Disease interactions
Heart Disease
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate should be used with caution in individuals having an acute myocardial infarction (death of the heart muscles) or congestive heart failure (a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's demand) due to the increased risk of worsening of the condition.
Hypotension
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate should be used with caution in individuals having hypotension (low blood pressure). Your doctor may monitor your blood pressure closely while taking this medicine.
Glaucoma
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate should be used with extreme caution in individuals having glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure) due to the increased risk of worsening of the condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
You can take Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate on an empty stomach. Eat healthy (low-fat, high-fibre, low-sodium diet), quit smoking, increase your physical activity, watch your weight and reduce stress.
Do not chew, break, or crush the tablet or capsule. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything that requires concentration until you know how it affects you.
Do not consume alcohol while taking this medicine as it may cause increased dizziness.
It may cause headaches which usually go away after a few days of continued treatment. Inform your doctor if it persists.
You may develop tolerance to Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate with time, meaning that the same dose may be less effective next time. Follow the prescribed dosing schedule to avoid this.
Stop taking medications (prescribed for erectile dysfunction) like Sildenafil or Tadalafil while on treatment with this medicine as it may cause low blood pressure.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate works by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the strain on the heart.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antianginal agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Durbinglobal.com. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 18 October 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 18 October 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Isosorbide Mononitrate 10 mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: [Accessed 18 October 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 18 October 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 11 Apr 2023
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