Isosorbide Mononitrate

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Isosorbide Mononitrate

Brand Names
Isosorbide Mononitrate
Drug Class
Nitrate Vasodilator [EPC]
Route
ORAL
Dosage Form
TABLET
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Description

DESCRIPTION Isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN), an organic nitrate and the major biologically active metabolite of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), is a vasodilator with effects on both arteries and veins. Isosorbide mononitrate tablets contain either 30 mg, 60 mg or 120 mg of isosorbide mononitrate in an extended-release formulation. In addition, ISMN 30 mg tablets, USP contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, compressible sugar, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate. ISMN 60 mg tablets, USP contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, compressible sugar, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, yellow iron oxide. ISMN 120 mg tablets, USP contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and talc. The molecular formula of ISMN is C 6 H 9 NO 6 and the molecular weight is 191.14. The chemical name for ISMN is 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-,D-glucitol 5-nitrate; the compound has the following structural formula: ISMN is a white, crystalline, odorless compound which is stable in air and in solution, has a melting point of about 90°C, and an optical rotation of +140° to 146° (2% in water, 20°C). Isosorbide mononitrate is freely soluble in water, acetic acid, alcohol, acetone and ethyl acetate; soluble in ether and chloroform, slightly soluble in toluene; practically insoluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons. Isosorbide mononitrate extended-release 120 mg tablets, USP meets USP Dissolution Test 7. Isosorbide mononitrate extended-release 30 mg and 60 mg tablets, USP meets USP Dissolution Test 5. structure

What Is Isosorbide Mononitrate Used For?

INDICATIONS & USAGE Isosorbide mononitrate extended-release tablets are indicated for the prevention of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. The onset of action of oral isosorbide mononitrate is not sufficiently rapid for this product to be useful in aborting an acute anginal episode.

Dosage and Administration

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION The recommended starting dose of Isosorbide Mononitrate Extended-Release Tablets, USP is 30 mg (given as a single 30 mg tablet or as 1/2 of a 60 mg tablet) or 60 mg (given as a single tablet) once daily. After several days, the dosage may be increased to 120 mg (given as a single 120 mg tablet or as two 60 mg tablets) once daily. Rarely, 240 mg may be required. The daily dose of Isosorbide Mononitrate Extended-Release Tablets, USP should be taken in the morning on arising. Isosorbide Mononitrate Extended-Release Tablets, USP should not be chewed or crushed and should be swallowed together with a half-glassful of fluid. Do not break the 30 mg tablet.

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

ADVERSE REACTIONS The table below shows the frequencies of the adverse events that occurred in >5% of the subjects in three placebo-controlled North American studies in which patients in the active treatment arm received 30 mg, 60 mg, 120 mg, or 240 mg of isosorbide mononitrate extended-release tablets once daily. In parentheses, the same table shows the frequencies with which these adverse events were associated with the discontinuation of treatment. Overall, 8% of the patients who received 30 mg, 60 mg, 120 mg, or 240 mg of isosorbide mononitrate in the three placebo-controlled North American studies discontinued treatment because of adverse events. Most of these discontinued because of headache. Dizziness was rarely associated with withdrawal from these studies. Since headache appears to be a dose-related adverse effect and tends to disappear with continued treatment, it is recommended that isosorbide mononitrate extended-release tablets treatment be initiated at low doses for several days before being increased to desired levels. FREQUENCY AND ADVERSE EVENTS (DISCONTINUED) a Three Controlled North American Studies Dose Placebo 30 mg 60 mg 120 mg* 240 mg* Patients 96 60 102 65 65 Headache 15% (0%) 38% (5%) 51% (8%) 42% (5%) 57% (8%) Dizziness 4% (0%) 8% (0%) 11% (1%) 9% (2%) 9% (2%) a Some individuals discontinued for multiple reasons. * Patients were started on 60 mg and titrated to their final dose. In addition, the three North American trials were pooled with 11 controlled trials conducted in Europe. Among the 14 controlled trials, a total of 711 patients were randomized to isosorbide mononitrate extended-release tablets. When the pooled data were reviewed, headache and dizziness were the only adverse events that were reported by >5% of patients. Other adverse events, each reported by ≤5% of exposed patients, and in many cases of uncertain relation to drug treatment, were: Autonomic Nervous System Disorders : Dry mouth, hot flushes. Body as a Whole : Asthenia, back pain, chest pain, edema, fatigue, fever, flu-like symptoms, malaise, rigors. Cardiovascular Disorders, General : Cardiac failure, hypertension, hypotension. Central and Peripheral Nervous System Disorders : Dizziness, headache, hypoesthesia, migraine, neuritis, paresis, paresthesia, ptosis, tremor, vertigo. Gastrointestinal System Disorders : Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastric ulcer, gastritis, glossitis, hemorrhagic gastric ulcer, hemorrhoids, loose stools, melena, nausea, vomiting. Hearing and Vestibular Disorders : Earache, tinnitus, tympanic membrane perforation. Heart Rate and Rhythm Disorders : Arrhythmia, arrhythmia atrial, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, bundle branch block, extrasystole, palpitation, tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia. Liver and Biliary System Disorders : SGOT increase, SGPT increase. Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders : Hyperuricemia, hypokalemia. Musculoskeletal System Disorders : Arthralgia, frozen shoulder, muscle weakness, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, myositis, tendon disorder, torticollis. Myo-, Endo-, Pericardial and Valve Disorders : Angina pectoris aggravated, heart murmur, heart sound abnormal, myocardial infarction, Q wave abnormality. Platelet, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders : Purpura, thrombocytopenia. Psychiatric Disorders : Anxiety, concentration impaired, confusion, decreased libido, depression, impotence, insomnia, nervousness, paroniria, somnolence. Red Blood Cell Disorder : Hypochromic anemia. Reproductive Disorders, Female : Atrophic vaginitis, breast pain. Resistance Mechanism Disorders : Bacterial infection, moniliasis, viral infection. Respiratory System Disorders : Bronchitis, bronchospasm, coughing, dyspnea, increased sputum, nasal congestion, pharyngitis, pneumonia, pulmonary infiltration, rales, rhinitis, sinusitis. Skin and Appendages Disorders : Acne, hair texture abnormal, increased sweating, pruritus, rash, skin nodule. Urinary System Disorders : Polyuria,...

Warnings and Precautions

WARNINGS Amplification of the vasodilatory effects of isosorbide mononitrate by sildenafil can result in severe hypotension. The time course and dose dependence of this interaction have not been studied. Appropriate supportive care has not been studied, but it seems reasonable to treat this as a nitrate overdose, with elevation of the extremities and with central volume expansion. The benefits of ISMN in patients with acute myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure have not been established; because the effects of isosorbide mononitrate are difficult to terminate rapidly, this drug is not recommended in these settings. If isosorbide mononitrate is used in these conditions, careful clinical or hemodynamic monitoring must be used to avoid the hazards of hypotension and tachycardia.

Drug Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS The vasodilating effects of isosorbide mononitrate may be additive with those of other vasodilators. Alcohol, in particular, has been found to exhibit additive effects of this variety. Marked symptomatic orthostatic hypotension has been reported when calcium channel blockers and organic nitrates were used in combination. Dose adjustments of either class of agents may be necessary.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Isosorbide mononitrate extended-release tablets are contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reactions to other nitrates or nitrites.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

PREGNANCY Teratogenic effects Pregnancy Category B In studies designed to detect effects of isosorbide mononitrate on embryo-fetal development, doses of up to 240 or 248 mg/kg/day, administered to pregnant rats and rabbits, were unassociated with evidence of such effects. These animal doses are about 100 times the maximum recommended human dose (120 mg in a 50 kg woman) when comparison is based on body weight; when comparison is based on body surface area, the rat dose is about 17 times the human dose and the rabbit dose is about 38 times the human dose. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, isosorbide mononitrate extended-release tablets should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Nonteratogenic effects Neonatal survival and development and incidence of stillbirths were adversely affected when pregnant rats were administered oral doses of 750 (but not 300) mg isosorbide mononitrate/kg/day during late gestation and lactation. This dose (about 312 times the human dose when comparison is based on body weight and 54 times the human dose when comparison is based on body surface area) was associated with decreases in maternal weight gain and motor activity and evidence of impaired lactation.

NURSING MOTHERS It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when ISMN is administered to a nursing mother.

Overdosage

OVERDOSAGE Hemodynamic Effects The ill effects of isosorbide mononitrate overdose are generally the result of isosorbide mononitrate's capacity to induce vasodilatation, venous pooling, reduced cardiac output, and hypotension. These hemodynamic changes may have protean manifestations, including increased intracranial pressure, with any or all of persistent throbbing headache, confusion, and moderate fever; vertigo, palpitations; visual disturbances; nausea and vomiting (possibly with colic and even bloody diarrhea); syncope (especially in the upright posture); air hunger and dyspnea, later followed by reduced ventilatory effort; diaphoresis, with the skin either flushed or cold and clammy; heart block and bradycardia; paralysis; coma; seizures and death. Laboratory determinations of serum levels of isosorbide mononitrate and its metabolites are not widely available, and such determinations have, in any event, no established role in the management of isosorbide mononitrate overdose. There are no data suggesting what dose of isosorbide mononitrate is likely to be life threatening in humans. In rats and mice, there is significant lethality at doses of 2000 mg/kg and 3000 mg/kg, respectively. No data are available to suggest physiological maneuvers (eg, maneuvers to change the pH of the urine) that might accelerate elimination of isosorbide mononitrate. In particular, dialysis is known to be ineffective in removing isosorbide mononitrate from the body. No specific antagonist to the vasodilator effects of isosorbide mononitrate is known, and no intervention has been subject to controlled study as a therapy of isosorbide mononitrate overdose. Because the hypotension associated with isosorbide mononitrate overdose is the result of venodilatation and arterial hypovolemia, prudent therapy in this situation should be directed toward an increase in central fluid volume. Passive elevation of the patient's legs may be sufficient, but intravenous infusion of normal saline or...

How Supplied

HOW SUPPLIED Isosorbide Mononitrate Extended-Release Tablets, USP 30 mg are white, biconvex oval shaped tablets, scored and embossed "30" on one side. Bottles of 100 NDC 42799-958-01 Bottles of 500 NDC 42799-958-02 Isosorbide Mononitrate Extended-Release Tablets, USP 60 mg are light yellow, biconvex oval shaped tablets, scored on both sides and embossed ‘DX 31’ on one side. Bottles of 100 NDC 42799-959-01 Bottles of 500 NDC 42799-959-02 Isosorbide Mononitrate Extended-Release Tablets, USP 120 mg are white, biconvex, oval-shaped tablets, embossed with '120' on one side. Bottles of 100 NDC 42799-960-01 Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) (see USP Controlled Room Temperature). Protect from excessive moisture. Manufactured for: Edenbridge Pharmaceuticals, LLC DBA Dexcel Pharma USA Parsippany, NJ 07054 877-381-3336 Manufactured by: Dexcel Ltd., Israel Revised: March 2025

About This Information

This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

What are side effects?

Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

What are drug interactions?

Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.