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Dilatrate-SR Consumer Information

DILATRATE-SR

Generic Name: isosorbide dinitrate (eye soe SORE bide)

Brand Names: Dilatrate-SR, ISDN, Isordil, Isordil Tembids, Isordil Titradose, Sorbitrate

What is the most important information I should know about isosorbide dinitrate?

• Use isosorbide dinitrate exactly as directed. Follow your doctor's instructions, especially about the timing of your doses. Your blood needs to be free of isosorbide dinitrate for a certain period every day.
• You may develop a headache because of this medicine, but do not stop taking it. Take aspirin or acetaminophen to treat the headache. Ask your doctor which is best for you. This side effect usually goes away with continued isosorbide dinitrate treatment.
• Do not stop taking isosorbide dinitrate suddenly. Stopping suddenly could cause a severe anginal attack.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
• Keep the sublingual or chewable tablets nearby so that they are easily reached if you have an anginal attack.

What is isosorbide dinitrate?

• Isosorbide dinitrate is in a class of drugs called nitrates. Isosorbide dinitrate dilates (widens or relaxes) blood vessels (arteries and veins). When blood vessels are dilated, it is easier for the heart to pump. Also, more blood, which is rich in oxygen, can flow to the heart.
• Isosorbide dinitrate is used to treat attacks of angina (sublingual and chewable tablets) and to prevent attacks of angina from occurring (capsules and tablets).
• Isosorbide dinitrate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take isosorbide dinitrate?

• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
• have had a heart attack;
• have congestive heart failure;
• have low blood pressure;
• have had a stroke, a transient ischemic attack (TIA, or mini-stroke), or a serious head injury;
• have anemia;
• have an allergy to nitrates;
• have closed-angle glaucoma;
• suffer from migraines;
• have kidney disease; or
• have liver disease.
• You may not be able to take isosorbide dinitrate, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy.
• Isosorbide dinitrate is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether isosorbide dinitrate will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• It is also not known whether isosorbide passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take isosorbide dinitrate?

• Take isosorbide dinitrate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take isosorbide dinitrate while sitting or lying down to prevent injury. Extreme dizziness and fainting are possible after a dose of isosorbide dinitrate.
• The sublingual and chewable tablets should be taken at the first sign of chest pain. Place the sublingual tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve. Do not chew or swallow it. Chew the chewable tablet well and hold it in your mouth for about 2 minutes, then swallow it. If you are still having pain, you can repeat this dose in 5 minutes. A third dose, 5 minutes later, can be taken if needed. If you still have chest pain after three doses, seek emergency medical attention.
• Keep the sublingual or chewable tablets nearby, so that they are easily reached if you have an angina attack.
• The oral doses that you are using to prevent angina attacks should be taken on an empty stomach (30 minutes before or 1 to 2 hours after meals).
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Swallow the extended-release forms of isosorbide dinitrate whole. Do not crush, chew, or open them. They are specially formulated to release medication slowly in your body.
• Do not change brands of isosorbide dinitrate without the approval of your doctor.
• Do not stop taking isosorbide suddenly. Stopping suddenly could cause a severe angina attack.
• Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Isosorbide dinitrate tablets must be stored in the container that they come in. Throw away any leftover isosorbide dinitrate on the expiration date. Expired isosorbide will not treat your condition.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you are taking the regular tablets (not the extended-release tablets) and your next regularly scheduled dose is within 2 hours, skip the dose you missed and take only the next dose. If you are taking the extended-release tablets and your next regularly scheduled dose is within 6 hours, also skip the missed dose and take only the next dose. Do Not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of an isosorbide dinitrate overdose include a severe throbbing headache, difficult or slow breathing, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dizziness, fainting, an irregular or slow heart beat, changes in vision, confusion, flushing, and seizures.

What should I avoid while taking isosorbide dinitrate?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Isosorbide dinitrate may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. Also, stand up slowly from a lying or sitting position.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol also widens your blood vessels, and it can cause very low blood pressure, dizziness, and drowsiness. If you consume alcohol, you could endanger yourself or others.
• Do not stop taking isosorbide dinitrate suddenly.

What are the possible side effects of isosorbide dinitrate?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking isosorbide dinitrate and seek emergency medical attention:
• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• blurred vision and dry mouth;
• irregular heartbeat; or
• fainting.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. If you experience any of the following side effects, continue to take isosorbide and talk to your doctor:
• headache or dizziness;
• flushing (redness of the face, neck and chest);
• nausea or vomiting;
• fast heartbeat;
• swollen ankles; or
• weakness.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect isosorbide dinitrate?

• Do not use sildenafil (Viagra), a drug used to treat impotence, while taking isosorbide dinitrate. The combination could cause severe or life-threatening low blood pressure.
• Before taking isosorbide dinitrate, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
• dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45); or
• any other heart medicines, especially those used to treat high blood pressure or irregular heartbeats.
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Do not drink alcohol. Like isosorbide dinitrate, alcohol widens your blood vessels, and it can cause very low blood pressure, dizziness, and drowsiness. If you combine isosorbide dinitrate and alcohol, you could endanger yourself or others.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with isosorbide dinitrate or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about isosorbide dinitrate written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 5.02. Revision Date: 2/14/03.