Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Menu

Isosorbide Dinitrate

Drug Class: Commonly Known As: Category:
Nitrates

Isosorbide Dinitrate - What is it for

​Isosorbide Dinitrate (ISDN) belongs to a class of medications called Nitrates. Nitrates are used to prevent and treat the symptoms of angina (chest pain). Angina is caused by lack of blood supply and oxygen to your heart. Nitrates work by relaxing blood vessels so that more blood and oxygen is supplied to the heart.

When you take this medication regularly on a long-term basis, it can help to treat angina by reducing the number of heart attacks that occur.

Nitrates can also be used with other medications for the treatment of heart failure, a condition where the heart is weak and is unable to pump enough blood to the rest of the body.

Isosorbide Dinitrate - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Isosorbide Dinitrate cause?

  • ​Dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness
    • This may occur especially when you get up quickly from lying or sitting down. Getting up slowly or changing posture slowly may help. Take a rest by sitting or lying down if you feel dizzy
    • This is also more likely to happen if you drink alcohol, stand for a long period of time, exercise or when the weather is hot. Do limit the amount of alcohol you drink while you are on Nitrates. Do take extra care during exercise, when the weather is hot or if you need to stand for long periods of time.
  • Temporary headache
    • This is a common side effect that will go away after taking the medication for a while. You may choose to take painkillers such as Paracetamol at the start of using Nitrates, to relieve the temporary headaches. Consult your healthcare professional if the headaches do not go away or become worse.
  • Flushing or redness of the skin
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Nausea and Vomiting

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Isosorbide Dinitrate , what precautions must I follow?

​Inform your healthcare professional if:

  • You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
  • You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Isosorbide Dinitrate ?

​Do not take Sildenafil (Viagra®), Tadalafil (Cialis®), Vardenafil (Levitra®) if you are taking this medication. When Sildenafil, Tadalafil or Vardenafil is taken with Nitrates, your blood pressure can lower greatly, resulting in dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting. In some cases, death has been reported when Sildenafil was taken with Nitrates.

Isosorbide Dinitrate - Dosage and How to Use

How should Isosorbide Dinitrate be used?

  • ​Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional. Stopping your medication suddenly may cause angina attacks. Ask your doctor for recommendations on how to reduce the dose slowly before stopping completely.
  • This medication should be taken before food, on an empty stomach.
  • This medication is used to reduce the number of angina attacks that occur. They should not be used for immediate relief for chest pain.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

​If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only the usual dose. Do not double your dose or use extra medication to make up for the missed dose.

What should I do if I overdose?

Isosorbide Dinitrate - Handling

How should I handle Isosorbide Dinitrate safely?

Isosorbide Dinitrate - Storage

How should I store Isosorbide Dinitrate ?

;#Keep away from children;#Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight;#

​Throw away all expired medications.

How should I dispose of Isosorbide Dinitrate safely?

​Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Isosorbide Dinitrate - Additional Information

  • Updated on 7/31/2019 12:00:00 AM
  • Article contributed by PSS National Medication Information Workgroup PSS National Medication Information Workgroup
The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

Find Your Medicines