R R

What Is Isosorbide?

Isosorbide appears in the names of organic nitrate medicines including isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate. This page focuses on current isosorbide mononitrate extended-release tablets used to prevent angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. Current extended-release strengths include 30 mg, 60 mg, and 120 mg.

Link to This Resource Page

Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.

To display this...

What Is Isosorbide?

Isosorbide appears in the names of organic nitrate medicines including isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate. This page focuses on current isosorbide mononitrate extended-release tablets used to prevent angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. Current extended-release strengths include 30 mg, 60 mg, and 120 mg.

read more about isosorbide ...

Copy this HTML:

Copy HTML Copied!

How Does Isosorbide Mononitrate Work?

Isosorbide mononitrate is an organic nitrate that relaxes vascular smooth muscle and dilates veins and arteries. Venous dilation reduces cardiac preload and myocardial oxygen demand, which helps prevent angina.

Who Is Treated With Isosorbide Mononitrate?

Extended-release isosorbide mononitrate is used to prevent angina pectoris caused by coronary artery disease. Its onset is not rapid enough to stop an acute angina attack after symptoms begin. Isosorbide dinitrate is a separate nitrate medicine with its own dosing instructions.

How Is Extended-Release Isosorbide Mononitrate Dosed?

The recommended starting dose is 30 mg or 60 mg once daily in the morning. After several days, the dose can increase to 120 mg once daily. A 240 mg daily dose is used rarely. Extended-release tablets are swallowed with fluid and are not chewed or crushed.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Isosorbide Mononitrate?

Isosorbide mononitrate can cause severe low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, and headache. Sildenafil can markedly increase its blood pressure lowering effect and cause severe hypotension. Methemoglobinemia has also been reported with organic nitrate exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Isosorbide

What is extended-release isosorbide mononitrate used for?

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

What is the usual starting dose?

The recommended starting dose is 30 mg or 60 mg once daily in the morning.

Can extended-release isosorbide mononitrate stop an acute angina attack?

No. Its onset is not rapid enough to stop an attack after it begins.

Can sildenafil be taken with isosorbide mononitrate?

No. The combination can produce severe low blood pressure.

References

Efficacy and Safety of Extended-Release Isosorbide Mononitrate for Stable Effort Angina Pectoris. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8256699/. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.

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

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

Isosorbide Mononitrate Extended-Release Tablets Prescribing Information. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0a1e317a-7b05-4d30-9bbc-1d4ccd56ba3c. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.

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