Isosorbide Mononitrate is used for:

Preventing angina (chest pain) caused by heart disease.

Isosorbide Mononitrate is a nitrate vasodilator. It works by widening the blood vessels in the body. This reduces the workload of the heart and helps to relieve chest pain.

Do NOT use Isosorbide Mononitrate if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Isosorbide Mononitrate or to other nitrate medicines
• you are also taking a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (eg, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil)
• you drink alcohol

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Isosorbide Mononitrate :

Some medical conditions may interact with Isosorbide Mononitrate. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have heart problems (eg, heart failure, heart attack, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), low blood pressure, blood problems (eg, anemia), dehydration, bleeding the brain, an overactive thyroid, or have had a recent head injury

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Isosorbide Mononitrate. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem, verapamil) or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) because the risk of severe low blood pressure may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Isosorbide Mononitrate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Isosorbide Mononitrate :

Use Isosorbide Mononitrate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Isosorbide Mononitrate by mouth with or without food.
• This medication should be taken twice daily, with the doses 7 hours apart. The first dose should preferably be taken in the morning upon waking up, unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Isosorbide Mononitrate. You may have an increased risk of side effects (eg, angina attacks). If you need to stop Isosorbide Mononitrate or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.
• If you miss a dose of Isosorbide Mononitrate , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Isosorbide Mononitrate.

Important safety information:

• Isosorbide Mononitrate may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Isosorbide Mononitrate with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Isosorbide Mononitrate may cause dizziness or lightheadedness; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Isosorbide Mononitrate.
• When you begin taking Isosorbide Mononitrate , headaches are likely to occur. Ask your doctor for instructions on ways to reduce this side effect.
• Isosorbide Mononitrate should not be used to stop an attack of angina; it is intended only for prevention of an attack.
• Isosorbide Mononitrate may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Isosorbide Mononitrate.
• Isosorbide Mononitrate should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Isosorbide Mononitrate while you are pregnant. It is not known if Isosorbide Mononitrate is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Isosorbide Mononitrate , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Isosorbide Mononitrate :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; headache; nausea.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in vision; fainting; numbness of an arm or leg; severe stomach pain; sharp or crushing chest pain; sudden leg pain; sudden, severe headache; sudden shortness of breath; vomiting.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.