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What Is Isosorbide Dinitrate?

Isosorbide dinitrate is a prescription organic nitrate and vasodilator. Current immediate-release tablets contain 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, or 40 mg. They are indicated for prevention of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease.

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What Is Isosorbide Dinitrate?

Isosorbide dinitrate is a prescription organic nitrate and vasodilator. Current immediate-release tablets contain 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, or 40 mg. They are indicated for prevention of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease.

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How Does Isosorbide Dinitrate Work?

Isosorbide dinitrate relaxes vascular smooth muscle and dilates veins and arteries. Venous dilation reduces blood return to the heart and lowers cardiac preload, while arterial dilation reduces vascular resistance. These effects reduce myocardial oxygen demand.

Who Is Treated With Isosorbide Dinitrate?

Immediate-release isosorbide dinitrate is used to prevent angina caused by coronary artery disease. Its onset is not rapid enough to stop an acute angina attack after symptoms begin. Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients are not established.

How Is Isosorbide Dinitrate Dosed?

The usual starting dose is 5 mg to 20 mg two or three times daily. Maintenance dosing is 10 mg to 40 mg two or three times daily. A daily dose-free interval of at least 14 hours is advised to reduce nitrate tolerance.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Isosorbide Dinitrate?

Isosorbide dinitrate can cause severe low blood pressure, fainting, dizziness, headache, and worsening angina related to hypotension. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil and the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat are contraindicated due to severe hypotension risk. Methemoglobinemia has also been reported with organic nitrates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Isosorbide Dinitrate

What is isosorbide dinitrate used for?

It is used to prevent angina caused by coronary artery disease.

What is the usual starting dose?

The usual starting dose is 5 mg to 20 mg two or three times daily.

Why is a daily dose-free interval used?

A nitrate-free period helps reduce development of tolerance during chronic treatment.

Can isosorbide dinitrate stop an acute angina attack?

No. The immediate-release oral tablets do not act rapidly enough to stop an attack after it begins.

References

Isosorbide: MedlinePlus Drug Information. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682348.html. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.

Isosorbide. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557839/. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.

Isosorbide Dinitrate Tablets Prescribing Information. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b166eb5b-bad8-4663-9c05-1c43539dab2c. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.

Isosorbide Dinitrate Tablets Prescribing Information. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?audience=professional&setid=6c4997e7-9ce6-46a6-a9c1-4bd3d76155eb. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.

Nitrates. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545149/. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.