Isosorbide Dinitrate (Isordil, Dilitrate-SR, Sorbitrate, Timecelles)

Category:

  • Cardiac

Description:

  • Antianginal agent

Indications:

  • Prevention of angina pectoris

  • Relief of acute anginal episodes and prophylaxis prior to events likely to provoke an attack

  • CHF (non-FDA approved)

  • Hypertension (acute) (non-FDA approved)

Contraindications:

  • Hypersensitivity to nitrates, severe anemia, close-angle glaucoma, postural hypotension

  • Head trauma

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category C; use caution in nursing mothers

  • Acute MI, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, glaucoma

  • Volume depletion, hypotension, abrupt withdrawal

  • Continuous delivery without nitrate-free interval (tolerance develops)

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: agitation, anxiety, apprehension, confusion, dizziness, dyscoordination, headache, hypoesthesia, hypokinesia, insomnia, nervousness, nightmares, restlessness, vertigo, weakness

  • CV: atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular collapse, crescendo angina, dysrhythmias, edema, hypotension, PVC’s, rebound hypertension, retrosternal discomfort, syncope, tachycardia

  • EENT: blurred vision, diplopia

  • GI: abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, involuntary passing of feces, nausea, tenesmus, vomiting

  • GU: dysuria, impotence, involuntary passing of urine, urinary frequency

  • HEME: hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia

  • MS: arthralgia, muscle twitching

  • SKIN: cold sweat, crusty skin lesions, exfoliative dermatitis, flushing, pallor, perspiration, pruritis, rash

Dosage:

Administered orally: Asymmetric dosing regimens provide a daily nitrate-free interval to minimize the development of tolerance.

  • Adult:   

    • SL 2.5-5mg initially, titrate upward until angina is relieved or side effects limit the dose; 

    • chewable tablets 5mg initially, titrate upward until angina is relieved or side effects limit the dose; 

    • PO 5-20mg 2-3 times daily initially (last dose no later than 1900), maintenance 10-40mg 2-3 times daily (last dose no later than 1900); 

    • PO SUS REL 40mg 1-2 times daily initially (last dose no later than 1400), maintenance 40-80mg 1-2 times daily (last dose no later than 1400)

Special considerations:

  • Headache may be a marker for drug activity; do not try to avoid by altering treatment schedule; aspirin or acetaminophen may be used for relief

  • Dissolve SL tablets under tongue; do not crush, chew, or swallow

  • Do not crush chewable tablets before administering

  • Avoid alcohol

  • Make changes in position slowly to prevent fainting

 

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300  

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
Volumes 1-6
2004 Edition
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright 2004
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