Do you sometimes feel a tightness or tightness in your chest when you climb stairs, get a little tired, or walk quickly? In medical terms, we call this condition angina pain. Simply put, this pain occurs when the heart does not get the required amount of oxygen. So, Isosorbide Mononitrate is a medicine that doctors often recommend and many people use to prevent this angina pain. Today, we will talk about this important medicine in a very simple way.
What kind of medicine is Isosorbide Mononitrate?
Isosorbide Mononitrate is a drug that belongs to the class of drugs called nitrates . Its main function is to prevent the occurrence of heart pain, that is, angina.
Think of your heart as a pump that works non-stop. If the blood vessels that send blood to this pump narrow, the pump has to work harder. That's when the pain comes. So what this medicine does is widen those blood vessels a little (relax them), making it easier for blood to flow. Then the burden on the heart, that is, the amount of work, decreases. Then the pain of angina also decreases.
The most important thing: This medicine is used to "prevent" angina pain, not to "reduce sudden pain immediately." The types of medicine given for sudden pain are different. So keep this in mind.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medication for you, there are a few things you should be aware of. It is very important for your own safety to be upfront about these things.
- If you have previously had a heart attack or heart failure .
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Isosorbide Mononitrate or any other nitrate. Also, tell your doctor if you are allergic to other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant , or are expecting a baby .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or not, or whether the dosage needs to be changed.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This is also very important. To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it correctly.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.These are especially "Extended-Release" (ETU) pills. This means that the medicine is designed to be released into the body over time. If you break the pill, that process is lost.
- Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the time your doctor prescribes. If you only take it once a day, try to take it at the same time every day.
- Even if you feel better, do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- This medicine may require special care if given to children. Talk to your doctor about this.
What if I accidentally take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Remember, the doctor prescribed this medicine only for you. Don't give this medicine to a friend of yours just because they have the same problem.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
This is very important. Taking Isosorbide Mononitrate with some other medications can have dangerous side effects. So be aware of this.
| Drug type | Description |
|---|---|
| Never take names with these! | |
| ED Medications | Medications like Avanafil, Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil, and Vardenafil. Taking these two together can cause dangerously low blood pressure. |
| Riociguat | This is also a blood pressure medication. Taking it with Isosorbide is very dangerous. |
| Be careful when taking these with you. | |
| High Blood Pressure Medications | Taking these together may increase dizziness and low blood pressure. |
| Other angina or heart disease medications | Use only as directed by your doctor. |
This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements) , and if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to consider when taking medication
- Dizziness: You may feel dizzy or lightheaded while using this medicine. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Don't get up too quickly: To reduce dizziness and fainting, get up slowly when you get up from sitting or lying down. Be especially careful about this if you are elderly.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can increase dizziness, flushing, and increased heart rate. Therefore, it is safest to stay away from alcohol completely while taking this medication.
- Medicines for other illnesses: When you have a cough, cold, or body ache, do not buy medicine from the pharmacy without consulting your doctor. Some painkillers and cough syrups can increase your blood pressure.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medication, this one can have some side effects. Let's take a look at what they are.
| If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Slow heartbeat | Dizziness, fainting, difficulty breathing, unusual tiredness. |
| Worsening angina | Increasing pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest, neck, back, or arms. |
| Symptoms of Methemoglobinemia | (This is a condition in which the blood does not carry oxygen) - Severe headache, unusual weakness, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, blue skin or lips. |
| Increased pressure around the brain | Severe headache, blurred vision, changes in vision, nausea, vomiting. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Dizziness | This may decrease as the body gets used to the medication. |
| Headache | It is most common in the first few days after starting the medication. |
| Flushing | Skin redness or a feeling of warmth. |
Take-Home Message
- Isosorbide Mononitrate is a medicine that prevents angina (chest pain), not a medicine that instantly cures sudden pain.
- Never take this with drugs such as Sildenafil (Viagra), which are used for sexual dysfunction. It can be life-threatening.
- Swallow this tablet whole without breaking, crushing, or chewing .
- Do not stop taking your medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- As dizziness may occur while taking the medicine, be careful when performing hazardous activities such as driving. Avoid drinking alcohol.
- It is essential to inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Isosorbide Mononitrate / Imdur tablets are a medicine used to treat which disease?
This is not an ordinary heart disease pill! This is a highly effective (Nitrate vasodilator) drug that provides long-term control of angina pectoris, a condition that occurs when the heart is not getting enough blood and causes chest pain before a heart attack. The 'Extended-Release' of this means that when you take one pill, the medicine in it dissolves in the body (over 12-24 hours) (Long-acting), so you don't get chest pain all day long.
💬 When you feel chest tightness/heart attack coming on, how do you control it when you take these pills (Isosorbide)?
Chest pain occurs because the heart muscles are tired due to insufficient blood supply. When this pill enters the body, it turns into a chemical gas called 'Nitric Oxide (NO)' inside the body. As soon as that gas enters, all the blood vessels (especially the venous system) that come to the heart and are throughout the body immediately relax/widen (Vasodilation). Then, the difficulty/burden that the heart has to pump blood disappears immediately, so the chest pain is cured in an instant.
💬 What is the fatal risk (Black Box Warning) that people taking this medicine (Imdur) should 'never' do?
If you are taking this pill, never take pills like 'Viagra / Sildenafil / Cialis' for sexual stimulation at the same time/continuously! If you take them together, all the blood vessels will dilate excessively and your blood pressure will drop to zero (Fatal Hypotension) and you may go into a coma and die! The common problem that everyone else has is that it makes your head hurt like it's going to burst (Severe Headaches).
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment