Isosorbide dinitrate is used to prevent and treat angina (chest pain).
This medicine may also be used to manage certain types of heart failure.
Take Isosorbide dinitrate exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Try to take it at the same time each day.
This medicine is available as conventional or prolonged-release tablet.
If you are taking the prolonged-release type of tablet (usually labelled as "Retard Tablet"), swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not divide, chew, or crush the tablet.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition, and your response to this medicine.
This medicine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- other heart problems e.g. heart valve problems, build up of fluid under the heart surface, inflammation of the heart surface, chest pain caused by an enlarged heart muscle, have had a heart attack
- increased pressure around the brain caused by head trauma or bleeding in the brain
- anaemia (low red blood cell count in the body)
- very low blood pressure
- low blood volume in the body
- circulatory failure (a condition wherein the blood has stopped circulating properly in the body)
as Isosorbide dinitrate may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Isosorbide dinitrate with medicines used to treat impotence and medicine used to treat high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- underactive thyroid gland
- hypothermia (low body temperature)
- malnutrition
- abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood
- impaired gas exchange caused by a lung or heart disease
- severe liver disease
- severe kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Isosorbide dinitrate to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Isosorbide dinitrate may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sleepiness, rash, reddening of the skin, headache, and fast and irregular heartbeat.
This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Isosorbide dinitrate with the following medicines:
- medicines used to treat impotence e.g. sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil
- riociguat (medicine used to treat high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. atenolol, nifedipine, losartan, captopril
- medicines to treat depression e.g. isocarboxazid, amitriptyline
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. chlorpromazine
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with this medicine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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