Angina & Isorsorbide Mononitrate

Ten days ago I started taking 40mg of Isorobide Mononitrate split (20mg breakfast and 20mg lunchtime). I'm writing this post to help anyone who's been prescribed it for the first time, or like I was are in the first couple of days and are struggling with the mother of all headaches. I'm now on Day 10 and for the first time since being on the tablets feel normal with the added benefit of no chest pain at night or when walking. I really hadn't realised how bad I was. I'm also on Briscopol, Atorvastatin, Aspirin and Lansoprazol. I'm still waiting for an Angiogram to find out what type of Angina or problem I have.

Prior to starting the Isorobide Mononitrate I had been waking up and having to take GTN. Sometimes I needed it during the day and in the middle of the night. No day was the same but chest discomfort had started to rule my life. Plus not knowing if I had indigestion or a genuine need for GTN I was also taking Renee first to rule it out.

Day 1 of Isorobide Mononitrate was awful. I've never had a headache like it. I'd say worse than a migrain. I didn't know what to do with myself. The headache was at the back of my head, neck and I felt sick. I didn't think I'd stick with it. Each day got very slightly and I mean slightly better. I nearly quit around Day 4/5, I spoke to the GP and we tried reducing the dose but the chest pain returned. I decided to stick with the tablets because I figured better the devil you know side effects wise and I'd been told it could take a week or so for the headaches, dizzyness to calm down. I was scared of swapping these side effects for something else, maybe worse than a headache.

Anyway the upshot is today I'm glad I stuck with it and hopefully I have a working solution that'll get me to the Angiogram without worrying. I had been quite worried.

I have only used GTN once in the last 10 days and that was the day after I tried managing on 20mg to stop the headaches. I woke up the following morning and had chest pain so needed it. I went back up to 40mg of Isorobide Mononitrate that day.

Hope my experience helps, I know everyone's journey is different x

[Mazmum]

Oh, I could have written so much of your post! I’ve been taking Isosorbide for exactly a week now, and have the headache you describe, at the back of my head and top of my neck. Because I’ve just had a couple of new meds prescribed I wasn’t sure which one was causing it (I’m also newly on Nicorandil). Like you, I’m determined to stick with it to try to ease the angina. I’m on a lower dose that you and am still getting pain every day, so I’m probably going to have to ask for an increased dosage, but the thought of that whilst I’ve got these terrible headaches is a bit daunting.

I take my morning dose at 7.30, and the instruction label put on the pack by the hospital says to take the second dose at 4pm, after a meal - which is awkward. I take the Nicorandil and other meds 12 hours apart (if they’re twice a day). Do you know why Isosorbide is prescribed differently?

[Hidden in reply to Mazmum]

Hi Mazmum

Headaches are unreal. I'm so glad for this forum as I'd been told I may get headaches but the posts on the forum have me an indication of how bad and how long so to speak. I hope they settle for you too. Hopefully an increase of dose may not be as bad once they've settled down.

My understanding is that it is prescribed differently based on other posts I've read. I'd have a chat with your GP. I was told to take mine at breakfast time and lunch. I've gone for 8am and 2.30pm. Just to cover weekends and any lunchtime work meetings. Although I had to be signed off for a couple of weeks to get the angina under control. Luckily working from home as well and I'm logging back on Tuesday.

Let me know how you get on x

[Stamford1]

Had to come of Isorobide Mononitrate as the headaches just wouldn't stop, gave it a good 6 weeks but now on Nicorandril and no headaches

[Cookie2020]

My life to a “tee”

Good luck and try and relax when you can.

Regards Andy

[Hidden]

Hi,I'm on isorsorbide also for Angina, I'm taking 30mg a day. The headaches were horrible and I was supposed to take them in the afternoon, I almost stopped taking them, but the Angina was just as bad as the headaches. I tried taking them at bedtime and 2 days later I had no headaches, and haven't since. The best part is, I rarely have Angina pain, only when I'm pushing myself physically.

If your doctor thinks it's Ok, You could try them at bedtime, It made all the difference for me.

Good Luck!

Stay Strong,

Dusty 68

[Jo31uk]

Really glad I've read your post. Ended up in A and E last Wednesday night due to two nasty attacks. Suspected angina but still waiting on a angio and scans. Gave me the same tablets and have has a horrible headache every day which goes into my neck. Will try and persevere and see hope it gets better!

[Hidden in reply to Jo31uk]

Frightening experience isn't it. I'm still waiting for angio. But the tablets are helping and i'm still managing. No headaches. I do feel tired at the end of the day but the I never did sleep well so that's a bonus, I'm sleeping really well now.

Hope the headaches settle down for you, I've never had headaches that go into my neck before - they are strange. I gave myself a limit of two weeks. If they hadn't settled by two weeks they were out. My GP said there were options.

Let me know how you get on

x

[Jo31uk in reply to Hidden]

GP spoke to cardio unit today as horrified when I went to A and E no actual tests were done on mr apart from resting ECG. I'm only 42 and it felt like they thought well she's young so isn't at risk. Doctor has changed meds and should get them tomorrow to try and ease headaches. On emergency list for CT angio so cross fingers they'll get to me soon! Hope you are doing OK x

[Hidden in reply to Jo31uk]

That's good news! I'm so glad your GP is following it up. Mine is with me. Fingers crossed we'll get sorted. It's the not knowing exactly what's going on that I find disconcerting. xx