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In this Article

• What is isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)?
• What are the possible side effects of isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)?
• What is the most important information I should know about isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)?
• How should I take isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Isordil)?
• What happens if I overdose (Isordil)?
• What should I avoid while taking isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)?
• What other drugs will affect isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Isordil)?

Since isosorbide dinitrate is sometimes used only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 2 hours away, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.

If you are using the extended-release tablet and your next dose is less than 6 hours away, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.

Do not use extra medicine to make up a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Isordil)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of isosorbide dinitrate can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include a severe throbbing headache, fever, confusion, dizziness or spinning sensation, fast or pounding heartbeats, vision problems, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, trouble breathing, sweating, cold or clammy skin, feeling light-headed, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)?

Isosorbide dinitrate can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of isosorbide dinitrate.

What other drugs will affect isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• blood pressure medication;
• dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal) or ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, and others);
• an erectile dysfunction medication such as tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra);
• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others; or
• a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with isosorbide dinitrate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about isosorbide dinitrate.

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.

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