Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: The chest pain of coronary heartdisease (angina) usually occurs when the heart requires more blood andoxygen than its coronary vessels can deliver. This demand for oxygen isrelated, in part, to blood pressure. The demand for oxygen can be reducedin one of two ways. First, dilating the veins and pooling the blood lowersthe blood pressure. Second, dilating the arteries reduces the pressurethat the heart has to pump against. Isosorbide dinitrate reduces angina bydilating both the veins and the arteries. Isosorbide dinitrate is in theclass of drugs called anti-anginal medications.

PREPARATIONS: Sublingual tablets (2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg); Tablets(5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg); Controlled release capsules (40mg).

STORAGE: Isosorbide dinitrate should be stored at roomtemperature in a tight moisture-proof container.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Isosorbide dinitrate reduces the blood pressureas well as the capillary pressure (vascular resistance), improving theheart's efficiency. Isosorbide dinitrate is used for the treatment andprevention of angina. Isosorbide dinitrate can be used to decrease thefrequency and severity of anginal (chest pain) episodes and to reduce theneed for sublingual (taken under the tongue) nitroglycerine.

DOSING: Isosorbide dinitrate tablets can be taken with orwithout food. The sublingual tablets should be dissolved under the tongue.Isosorbide dinitrate is metabolized mainly by the liver and dosages mayneed to be reduced in patients with liver dysfunction.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Isosorbide dinitrate can cause a severe fallin blood pressure (hypotension) and should be used cautiously in patientswith low blood volumes (on diuretics), those with low blood pressure, orwho are on other blood pressure medicines (calcium channel blockers).Tolerance to isosorbide dinitrate can develop, leading to increaseddosages. Isosorbide dinitrate dosages should be decreased slowly to avoidcardiac problems.

SIDE EFFECTS: Headaches are the most common side effect andusually are dose related (increase with higher dosages). Flushing canoccur because of the dilating of the blood vessels (vasodilatation).Transient dizziness, palpitations, and weakness can occur, which reflect the lowering of the blood pressure. Nausea, vomiting, and rash are rareside effects.