Problems with Angina meds

[Williemak]

I was diagnosed with Angina after a Heart Attack last year. I have tried 2 different brands of Isosorbide Mononitrate and now I’m trying Nicorandil but all of them give me severe headaches. I can’t cope with them and I wondered if anyone else had the same problem and found an alternative?

[Dovaston]

Hi I think you will find previous posts on this forum regarding this issue and how people have overcome the headache problem. For me splitting the tablet in two and taking half am half pm evening did the trick !

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I was on. Isosorbide Mononitrate before my bypass without problem but we are all different. Another anti-anginal is Diltiazem, a CCI (Calcium Channel Inhibitor). I would suggest you have a chat with your GP.

[Picass]

I am on both of these i started with the nitrate when I first had my heart attack and had terrible headaches but after a few weeks it improved , how long have you been on them

[Williemak]

I’ve taken a few days with each of the Nitrates but couldn’t cope with the headaches, and I’ve only taken one dose of the Nicotandil with almost immediate pain.

I’ve suffered badly with Migraines for most of my life, to the point of almost giving up, but been free of them for 3 years now. The though of them coming back terrifies me.

[Nettekin]

Hi williemak

Can't offer any advice re: alternative, but had same reaction to nicorandil. Like you i am a past migraine sufferer and i can't imagine ever going through that again. I did find i could tolerate 5mg a day, but 10mg was too much and the sick headaches just too much to put up with. I did put up with it for 7 days but that was my limit. For various reasons i am no longer taking a regular anti-anginal, so that is lucky for me. I did notice on the leaflet with nicorandil they are not advised for people with a history of headaches. I really hope you can find a solution that can help your angina without bringing back the migraines. X

[Williemak]

Thanks for all the replies. Hopefully there will be something that I can tolerate and I’ll find it!

If anyone who reads this can help I’d be deeply indebted to you!!!

[Carokai]

Speak to your GP / Cardiologist about slow release IM.

That resolved the headache issue for me after weeks on the standard once a day dose.

Interestingly I haven’t had a single Migraine since starting it four years ago. Prior to that two or three attacks a month !!

[Williemak]

Hi again. The last lot of IM I got was ‘Prolonged Release’ so I suspect the same as Carokai uses. The dose they gave me was 60mg though, so maybe that makes a difference?

The Nicorandil tabs are 10mg and twice a day. Maybe I should try half that?

[dunestar]

Hello Williemak. I take 30mg of isosorbide mononitrate extended release in the morning. When I first started taking the tablets I got bad headaches. But not an ache, more like intense pressure. They went after about 10 days as my body got used to the drug. I think different brands are essentially the same thing. Some times my pharmacist gives me different brands if they can't get hold of the usual one. Hope you find something you can tolerate. Or maybe 30mg of iso may suit you.

[Hidden]

Hi

I was diagnosed with Angina also and had the same problem, severe headaches. I started to try taking it at different times, as I have with all of my heart medications.

I started to take Isosorbide at night just before I fall asleep and in the morning I don't have any headaches. It took about 3 day's and I haven't had a headache since and I actually feel a lot better now.

I found I have to find what works for me, when it comes to taking medications. Believe me, I know how you feel taking that medicine, it seemed hopeless, but taking it just before I fall asleep has worked for me.

I wish you the best of luck and you'll find what works for you. You'll feel much better if you find a way.

Best Wishes!

Dusty.....

[2stents]

Hi, I couldn’t tolerate the Nicorandil at all

I still got the headaches with the Isosorbide Mononitrate but persevered with it ..

It took a few mths but the headaches did stop

[Green64]

I take 40mg prolonged release isosorbide mononitrate every morning. I did have headaches for about 3/4 weeks but persevered and now headache free. I hope you can get something sorted by your doctor that works for you.

[Williemak]

Thanks you all for your replies and taking the time to do so.

Contacted Doc and he suggested halving the dose twice daily. First day head so bad I didn’t take the Evening one. Still doing this (third day) with the intention of upping to take the evening dose later in the week if the headaches recede. Seems to be working as yesterday was better than Monday.

I’ll keep you informed of progress.

[Williemak]

Update

Day 5

Yesterday was so bad that I’m giving up and throwing in the towel. Now not only have I got bad headaches I’ve got the trots. Not going to be any more graphic than that, just to say that I have Diverticular disease so if you want to know more like ok that up.

The headache yesterday lasted until 9, when I went to bed to try and sleep. I dozed until about 2am, when it finally lifted and I went into a deep sleep.

Just can’t cope with it any more, so back to the Docs later. Wish me luck!