isosorbide dinitrate
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) is good for a specific type of chest pain (called angina), but it can cause headaches after you take it.
What is Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)?
What is Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) used for?
- Chest pain caused by angina
How Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) works
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) is a nitrate vasodilator, which means that it works to relax your blood vessels. This makes it easier for your heart to pump, relieving heart-related chest pain.
Drug facts
Side effects of Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
Less Common Side Effects
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Feeling like you are going to pass out, especially when standing
- Slowed or irregular heartbeat
- Blurred vision or changes in vision
- Confusion
The following Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms
dark urine
difficulty with breathing
dizziness or lightheadedness
headache
pale skin
rapid heart rate
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
Arm, back, or jaw pain
blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
chest tightness or heaviness
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fainting
fast or irregular heartbeat
sweating
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Blurred or loss of vision
bulging soft spot on the head of an infant
change in consciousness
change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
cold, clammy skin
convulsions
disturbed color perception
double vision
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
halos around lights
headache, severe and throbbing
increased sweating
loss of appetite
loss of consciousness
night blindness
overbright appearance of lights
paralysis
sensation of spinning
slow heartbeat
tunnel vision
vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
Pros
- Good at relieving chest pain caused by heart disease
- Short-acting tablet is available as a generic version, making it less expensive
Cons
- Has to be taken on a very specific schedule for the medication to work best
- Daily headaches are a common side effect.
- Can cause dizziness, especially when you change positions
- Interacts with erectile dysfunction medications
- Long-acting capsule is available as brand name only, making it more expensive
Pharmacist tips for Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
- Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) can cause headaches, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Changing positions slowly can help lessen dizziness. Headaches can be a sign that the medicine is working, and they may lessen with continued use of the medication. Let your provider know if they are excessive.
- Don't drink alcohol while taking isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil). It can make you really dizzy.
- Erectile dysfunction medications (Viagra, Levitra, Cialis) cannot be taken while on Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil). It can cause your blood pressure to become dangerously low. Let your provider know if you are using any medications for erectile dysfunction before you start taking isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil).
- Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) is not a medication you take if you think you are having a heart attack. You need to take it every day in order for it to work. Never take extra doses or stop taking it suddenly unless your provider tells you to do so.
- You can develop a tolerance to isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) over time, which means the dose you've been on doesn't work as well. Your provider may temporarily have you stop isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) if this happens.
Common questions about Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) can cause your blood pressure to drop somewhat. It's usually not a problem for most people unless you drink alcohol or take other medications that can also lower your blood pressure.
To help prevent a tolerance to isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) from forming, there should be a 14 hour period of time where you are not taking any doses. By not taking isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) after 6 PM, this helps ensure your body has that 14 hour dose-free period.
While both isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) and nitroglycerin are known as nitrate vasodilators, they are not the same medication. Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) works slowly to help prevent chest pain. Nitroglycerin works very quickly to widen your blood vessels and help your heart pump blood during a heart attack.
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) is not known to affect the kidneys. People with kidney problems should be able to take the usual dose of isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil).
Stopping isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) suddenly can cause you to have a worsening of your chest pain. This chest pain can feel more intense or painful than it was before you began taking isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil).
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Risks and warnings for Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
- Risk factors: Use of erectile dysfunction medicine | Age greater than 65 years | Alcohol use
Taking erectile dysfunction medications or drinking alcohol while taking isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) can cause your blood pressure to get dangerously low, which can be life-threatening. Contact your provider right away if you feel as if you are going to pass out and are experiencing an irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, changes in vision, increased sweating, or cold and clammy skin. Some people feel dizzy or fall when changing positions, such as going from sitting to standing. Change positions slowly until your body is used to the medicine. Talk to your provider if you continue to feel dizzy or have a fast heart rate a week after starting isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
TOLERANCE
- Risk factors: Long term use
Your body can get used to isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), and the same amount of medication can no longer work as well as it used to. This is called tolerance, and it cannot be fixed by increasing the strength of the medication. Tolerance is more likely to happen if you don't take your dose according to schedule. Be sure to follow your provider's instructions about when to take isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil). Talk to your provider if you notice your chest pain starts to get worse.
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20mg | 90 tablets | $27.75 | $0.31 |
| 10mg | 90 tablets | $25.51 | $0.28 |
| 30mg | 90 tablets | $38.12 | $0.42 |
| 5mg | 180 tablets | $43.22 | $0.24 |
| 40mg | 90 tablets | $174.65 | $1.94 |
Typical dosage for Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) is available as both a short-acting tablet and long-acting capsule. The short-acting tablet is usually taken as 10 mg to 40 mg by mouth 2 or 3 times daily with at least a 14 hour period of time per day where you don't take any doses. The dose of the long-acting capsule is unique for everyone, and it can take some time to find the dose that works best for you. The highest dose you should be on is 160 mg total per day.
Interactions between Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Avanafil
- Riociguat
- Sildenafil
- Tadalafil
- Vardenafil
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