Isosorbide Mononitrate- Side Effects, Precautions and Contraindications
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Isosorbide Mononitrate

Drug Class: Commonly Known As: Category:
Nitrates

Isosorbide Mononitrate - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Isosorbide Mononitrate 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 Mononitrate , 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 Mononitrate ?

​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 Mononitrate - 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

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