Isosorbide Dinitrate
Information
Uses
Isosorbide Dinitrate is used in the treatment of angina and heart failure.
How it works
Isosorbide dinitrate reduces the workload of the heart. As a result, the heart muscle does not need as much blood and oxygen supply.
Common side effects
Headache, Flushing of face, Dizziness, Increased heart rate, Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)
Available Medicine
Expert advice
Take isosorbide dinitrate on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. Do not take isosorbide dinitrate if:
- You are allergic to isosorbide dinitrate, other nitrates or any of the other ingredients.
- You suffer from anemia (reduction in red blood cells).
- You have had a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
- You have had a brain hemorrhage (bleeding) or a head injury (trauma).
- You have a low blood volume (hypovolemia) or very low blood pressure.
- You take sildenafil (“Viagra”) avanafil, riociguat, tadalafil, or vardenafil or any other phosphodiesterase inhibitor.
Check with your doctor before taking isosorbide dinitrate if:
- You have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland which can cause tiredness or weight gain).
- You are malnourished (severely underfed).
- You have liver or kidney disease.
- You have been diagnosed with any of the severe heart disease.
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
You must not stop taking isosorbide dinitrate to take sildenafil as this will increase your chances of having an angina attack.
Do not drink alcohol.
Do not drive or operate machinery.
Isosorbide dinitrate should not be used to stop an attack of angina; it is intended only for prevention of an attack.
Frequently asked questions
Isosorbide Dinitrate
Q. What is isosorbide dinitrate/what is isosorbide dinitrate used for/what is isosorbide dinitrate used to treat/ what does isosorbide dinitrate do/why is isosorbide dinitrate prescribed?
Isosorbide dinitrate is used to prevent and treat angina pectoris. It is used as an adjunctive treatment in severe acute or chronic congestive cardiac failure
Q. How does isosorbide dinitrate work/ is isosorbide dinitrate a beta blocker?
Isosorbide dinitrate belongs to a group of medicines called organic nitrates. Organic nitrates work by widening the blood vessels in your heart to allow an increased amount of blood to flow to areas which need it. It is not a beta blocker but a vasodilator
Q. Does isosorbide dinitrate lower heart rate?
No, it does not lower heart rate as other beta blockers, instead it widens the blood vessels in your heart