Brand Name

Isordil {Wyeth}

Generic Name

isosorbide dinitrate, pronounced EYE soe SOR bide DI NYE trate

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Isordil?

Isordil is a medication that helps to prevent angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease.You should not use Isordil for an acute or emergency attack of angina. Isordil is in the nitrate group of medications, and it works by dilating, or widening your blood vessels, making it easier for your blood to flow.

Isordil may be used for purposes not indicated in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Isordil

You should not use Isordil as a treatment for an acute angina attack. Your doctor can prescribe a medication to help treat an urgent attack.

Isordil is administered as a sublingual tablet to help prevent and treat angina pectoris. However, because the onset of action for this sublingual form of Isordil is much slower than that of sublingual nitroglycerin, you should not use Isordil for an acute angina attack.

You should not use Isordil if you are taking certain erectile dysfunction medications, like sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), as serious and life-threatening side effects can occur.

Isordil is in FDA pregnancy category C. We do not know if Isordil can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant before taking Isordil. Isordil is known to pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while you are taking this medication.

While you are taking Isordil be careful when doing anything that requires you to be alert, such as driving. Isordil may impair your thinking and reaction time and cause dizziness.

Dizziness, low blood pressure and fainting may occur while you are taking Isordil. Take care to move slowly when getting up from a sitting or lying down position. Factors like hot weather, exercise and alcohol may affect you more than usual while you are taking Isordil. Take care to monitor your lifestyle choices while you are using this medication.

You may experience headaches while taking Isordil, which can occasionally be severe. These headaches are not a cause for concern. Talk to your doctor before taking any pain medication for these headaches.

Before You Take Isordil

You should not take Isordil if you are allergic to isosorbide dinitrate.

You should talk to your doctor if you have heart problems, thyroid problems or anemia before starting treatment with Isordil.

If you have bleeding on your brain or a recent head trauma you may not be a candidate to take Isordil. Talk to your doctor about taking this medication if this is your situation.

If you have low blood pressure, congestive heart failure or kidney disease you may not be able to take Isordil. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these conditions.

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any foods or medications.

You should not stop taking Isordil suddenly, as it may cause a severe angina attack. Talk to your doctor if you wish to stop taking this medication.

Isordil Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Citanest Forte (epinephrine/prilocaine)
• Citanest HCl Plain (prilocaine)
• Cyanide Antidote Kit (amyl nitrite/sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate)
• Emla (lidocaine/prilocaine topical)
• ethanol or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors {erectile dysfunction medications} like sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis)
• Nithiodote (sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate)
• Oraqix (lidocaine/prilocaine topical)
• prilocaine

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Isordil. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Isordil

You should follow the instructions on your prescription label and not take Isordil for longer than recommended by your doctor, or in larger or smaller doses.

Isordil should not be broken, chewed or crushed. You should place Isordil under your tongue and allow it to dissolve.
You should try and stay seated shortly after taking Isordil, as this medication may cause dizziness or fainting.
If you need surgery be sure to tell the surgeon and staff that you are taking Isordil.
Isordil should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose of Isordil you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but only if your next dose is soon. Do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Isordil Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Isordil and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• angina pain that worsens or is more frequent
• chest pain
• feeling faint like you might pass out or fainting
• heartbeats that are too fast or too slow
• nausea
• vomiting

Less serious Isordil side effects may include:

• mild dizziness
• headache
• flushing of your face and neck
• lightheadedness

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Isordil. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Isordil Description and Dosing

Isordil is available as a sublingual tablet containing 2.5 mg or 5 mg isosorbide dinitrate. Isordil 2.5 mg tablets are round, yellow and imprinted “2.5” on one side and “W” on the other side: The 5 mg tablets are round, pink and imprinted “5” on one side and “W” on the other side:

You should take Isordil exactly as your doctor prescribes you to. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you believe you may have overdosed with Isordil seek emergency medical help immediately.

Ingredients in Isordil

Isordil is comprised of the active ingredient isosorbide dinitrate. Other inactive ingredients include cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, and starch. The 2.5 mg dosage strength also contains D&C Yellow 10 and FD&C Yellow 6, and the 5 mg dosage strength also contains FD&C Red 40.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.