GENERIC NAME: ISOSORBIDE DINITRATE - SUBLINGUAL (eye-so-SORE-bide dye-NYE-trate)

BRAND NAME(S): Isordil, Sorbitrate

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

USES: Isosorbide relaxes blood vessels allowing more blood to flow through. This reduces the workload on the heart and improves blood flow to the heart. Sublingual isosorbide tablets act quickly to relieve or prevent chest pain (angina).

HOW TO USE: At the first sign of chest pain, sit down and place one tablet under the tongue or between your cheek and gum allowing it to dissolve. The drug is absorbed directly through the lining of the mouth. Do not chew or swallow the tablet. Do not eat, drink or smoke while the isosorbide is in your mouth. Effects should begin in 2 to 5 minutes. If after 5 minutes there is no relief of chest pain, take another tablet. If there is no relief after taking three tablets in a 15 minute period, call your doctor immediately or go to a hospital emergency room. If you use isosorbide sublingual tablets to prevent an expected angina attack, you may place the tablet under the tongue 5 to 10 minutes before the stress or physical exertion that brings on the attack. This effect may last up to 1 hour. If you have been taking this medicine regularly for several weeks, do not suddenly stop using it. Stopping suddenly may bring on angina.

SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, dizziness, flushing, rapid heartbeat, or restlessness may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If they persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. To prevent dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. Notify your doctor if you experience: blurred vision, dry mouth, skin rash, nausea. Headache is often a sign the medication is working. Treat headaches with an aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever as recommended by your doctor. If the headaches continue or become severe, notify your doctor. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

isosorbide mononitrate, Imdur, Ismo, Monoket - Source:MedicineNet Angina - Learn about the causes and symptoms of angina like pressure, heaviness, tightening, squeezing, and aching across the chest. There are two types of angina, stable (the most common) and unstable. Source:MedicineNet Achalasia - Achalasia is a disease of the muscle of the esophagus. Symptoms of achalasia are difficulty swallowing, food sticking in the esophagus, both liquid and solid, chest pain, regurgitation at night when sleeping. Source:MedicineNet Read 21 more isosorbide dinitrate related articles ... So Much to Do, So Little Sleep Head Injuries All Too Common in Summer Play Health Tip: The Word on Wisdom Teeth Health Tip: Make Exercise a Daily Habit New Source of Heart Stem Cells Found Health Highlights: June 23, 2008 Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis One Gene May Be Key to Myeloma Crocodile Babies Cry Out for Hatching Immune Molecule Key to Preventing Organ Rejection