Isosorbide mononitrate - the "slow brother" of nitroglycerin

Isosorbide mononitrate is a commonly used anti-anginal drug. The characters "mono" and "iso" in this somewhat long name are its structural characteristics. It is a nitrate drug. Compared with the familiar nitroglycerin, an emergency drug for angina pectoris, isosorbide mononitrate has a slow onset and a long-lasting effect. It is usually used for the long-term treatment or prevention of coronary heart disease, angina pectoris and chronic heart failure. Therefore, it is important to remember that this is not an emergency drug.

So can all patients use this drug? Pregnant women within 3 months of pregnancy are not recommended to use this drug. Women who are more than 3 months pregnant or breastfeeding women must inform their doctors and use the drug under their guidance. Mothers should also stop breastfeeding when taking the drug. Some patients with special diseases should use this drug with caution, such as severe hypotension, severe cerebral arteriosclerosis, increased intracranial pressure, glaucoma and severe anemia, so when you see a doctor, you must tell the doctor all your diagnosed diseases so that the doctor can develop a safe medication plan for you.

Before using the medicine, we need to understand the dosage form of the medicine we are using. Isosorbide mononitrate ordinary tablets or dispersible tablets can be swallowed directly with water. Do not lie down or tilt your head back to take the medicine to prevent choking and coughing. Isosorbide mononitrate sustained-release preparations must be swallowed whole. Be sure not to destroy the structure of the drug. Chewing or crushing will change the onset time of the drug. If the doctor prescribes a half-tablet dose for you, you can break the tablet along the surface score and swallow it whole. In order to prevent drug resistance, we need to leave an interval of about 7 hours between two doses. If you take the medicine once a day, you can choose to take it in the early morning every day; if you take the medicine twice a day, you can choose to take it at 8:00 and 15:00.

Because isosorbide mononitrate reduces the burden on the heart by dilating blood vessels, you may experience dizziness or headaches after taking the medicine, which usually resolves automatically in 1-2 weeks. If your discomfort is very severe or does not resolve for a long time, you should promptly report to your doctor to adjust the medication. Do not drink alcohol or take Viagra-like drugs while taking the medicine, as this will enhance the blood pressure-lowering effect of the drug and bring risks. When waking up or standing up from sitting, it is best to use the surrounding environment to stabilize and slowly get up to prevent dizziness and falls caused by moving too quickly.

Finally, I would like to remind you that the storage of medicines should be moisture-proof and light-proof. Do not put them in the bathroom or kitchen, and do not put them where children can get to them. If there are multiple people taking medicines at home, store each person's medicine separately to prevent accidental ingestion.

But don't underestimate these little knowledge and details about medication. Taking medication in the correct way is the first step to making the medication achieve the best therapeutic effect.