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Isosorbide Mononitrate

Isosorbide Mononitrate Side Effects

Allison Gourley, PharmDCydnee Ng, PharmD
Reviewed by Allison Gourley, PharmD, Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on September 28, 2023

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 (up to 57%)
  • Dizziness (up to 11%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Flushing
  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Muscle pain or weakness
  • Upset stomach
  • Low blood pressure

Isosorbide Mononitrate serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Overdose: confusion, blurred vision or changes in vision, heart palpitations, feeling like you're going to pass out (especially when standing up)

Source: DailyMed

The following Isosorbide Mononitrate 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:

Less common

Abnormal heart sound

absence of or decrease in body movement

arm, back, or jaw pain

black, tarry stools

bladder pain

bleeding after defecation

bleeding gums

blood in the urine or stools

blurred vision

body aches or pain

burning while urinating

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

chest pain or discomfort

chest tightness or heaviness

chills

cold sweats

colds

confusion

convulsions

cough or hoarseness

decreased urine

diarrhea

difficult or labored breathing

difficult, burning, or painful urination

dilated neck veins

dizziness

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

dry mouth

ear congestion

extra heartbeats

fainting

fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

fever or chills

flu-like symptoms

frequent urge to urinate

frequent urination

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

headache, severe and throbbing

heart murmur

increased need to urinate

increased sweating

increased thirst

increased volume of pale, dilute urine

irregular breathing

itching, pain, redness, or swelling on the leg

joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

lightheadedness

loss of appetite

loss of voice

lower back, side, or stomach pain

muscle aches and pains

muscle cramps

nasal congestion

nausea or vomiting

nervousness

numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck

pain, tension, and weakness upon walking that subsides during periods of rest

partial or slight paralysis

passing urine more often

pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin

pounding in the ears

runny nose

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

shivering

sneezing

sore on the leg

sore throat

sudden decrease in the amount of urine

sweating

swelling

swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

tightness in the chest

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

trouble sleeping

troubled breathing

uncomfortable swelling around the anus

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

weakness

weight gain

Rare

Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms

dark urine

pale skin

rapid heart rate

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

disturbed color perception

double vision

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

halos around lights

headache, severe and throbbing

loss of consciousness

night blindness

overbright appearance of lights

paralysis

sensation of spinning

tunnel vision

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

anxiety

back pain

belching

blemishes on the skin

bloated

breast pain

burning feeling in the chest or stomach

burning, dry, or itching eyes

change in color vision

changes in vision

cold sweats

congestion

constipation

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

cough producing mucus

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

difficulty seeing at night

difficulty with moving

discharge, excessive tearing

double vision

drooping upper eyelids

dull ache or feeling of pressure or heaviness in the legs

earache

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

feeling of warmth

feeling unusually cold

frequent urge to defecate

frozen shoulder

full feeling

hearing loss

heartburn

hyperventilation

inability to have or keep an erection

increased appetite

increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight

increased sputum

indigestion

irritability

itching skin near damaged veins

lack or loss of strength

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

muscle or bone pain

muscle stiffness or weakness

nightmares

noisy breathing

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

passing gas

pimples

poor concentration

rash

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue

restlessness

seeing double

sensation of spinning

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung when listening with a stethoscope

small lumps under the skin

sore mouth or tongue

stiff neck

stomach bloating, burning, cramping, or pain

stomach discomfort or upset

straining while passing stool

stuffy nose

sudden sweating

swollen feet and ankles

tender, swollen glands in the neck

tenderness in the stomach area

terrifying dreams causing sleep disturbances

tooth disorder

trouble swallowing

uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck

voice changes

weight loss

white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat

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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Why trust our experts?

Allison Gourley, PharmD, is a kidney and pancreas transplant pharmacist at a teaching hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area. When she’s not educating patients about their immunosuppressants, she's actively involved in transplant research.
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Reviewed by:
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Cydnee Ng, PharmD, is a drug information pharmacist at GoodRx, where she lends her expertise to providing reader-friendly, accessible content about medications. She holds her pharmacist license in California.

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