help - nicorandil

Hi all, Dad couldn't take isosorbide, moved to slow release and now changed to Nicorandril, after two weeks he has severe diarrhea, been like this for a week. Spoke twice to GP who is telling him to keep taking the tablets and try a stool test. Anyone had similar problems with Nicorandil?

Really appreciate your help

Thanks

[Mazmum]

I take both Isosorbide and Nicorandil twice daily. For the first month of taking them I experienced horrible headaches, but as I started them both together I’m not sure which was causing them. I’ve persevered with both (with reassurance from my GP) and now the headaches have stopped. These are powerful drugs which can affect people in different ways, so checking with a doctor is probably the best way to go.

[Hidden in reply to Mazmum]

Thanks for your reply. It’s just a big puzzle at the moment as to what is causing the problem. He’s also on cloppidog since December so I don’t think it is that. Also on Lansoprazole. Hope GP can help

[Mazmum in reply to Hidden]

I was on Lansoprazole a while back and suffered severe stomach problems, even had a colonoscopy to rule out anything sinister. My consultant switched me to Pantoprazole and the problem was sorted. Maybe Nicorandil is not the culprit, bit it should be investigated by a doctor, as what happened to me may not be what is affecting your father. I do hope he gets sorted out soon, as persistent diarrhoea is very debilitating.

[Hidden in reply to Mazmum]

Thanks again for your reply, he had a blood test today. It has been so difficult to balance these tablets.

[DoraDora59]

I’ve been on nicorandil 10mg twice a day and have not had any side effects with them at all.

[Hidden in reply to DoraDora59]

Thanks for your reply Dora-123

[DoraDora59 in reply to Hidden]

No problem. I hope he feels better soon and gets some help from his GP.

[Divasong]

I started nicorandil a few weeks ago. I have experienced slight yellowing in the whites of the eyes (liver is fine had blood test) , swollen feet & ankles. Not sure it's doing v much for me tbh. Gp also told me to stay on it. Hope you feel better soon.

[Hidden in reply to Divasong]

Thanks for your reply Divasong. Really appreciate your time. Dad had a blood test today.

[Hidden]

I suffered rapid heartbeat so bad I couldn’t go to sleep at night, the doctor swapped them for ranolazine and they made me sweat and nauseated. I’m afraid my body hates all the drugs they have tried on me so I quit the lot and feel fine on just clopidogrel. It’s good that the side effects settle for most people but I’m afraid I’m not one of those.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply, I know what you mean with these tablets. When he started isosorbide it was like torturing him with headaches, didn’t make sense. Moved to nicorandil, seemed to be fine but went downhill after 2 weeks. It is a hard decision balancing pros/cons of the tablets

[Originalsixties]

Hi Zinge, I am on Isosorbide and Nicorandil also Clopidogrel, I had terrible headaches with the Isosorbide, so my dose was reduced. As for Nicorandil my problem with them is recurring mouth ulcers which can be a side effect of Nicorandil, I’m on 20mg twice a day, my dr reduced it to 10mg twice a day but I got angina attacks every day so he put me back up to twice a day 20mg, guess I have to put up with mouth ulcers ( better than being frightened with angina attacks). I don’t know about Nicorandil causing diarrhoea as I have Crohn’s disease so have that problem daily anyway. Hope your Dad soon feels better.

[Hidden in reply to Originalsixties]

Thank you so much for your reply. I can imagine that 20 mg would be better than the angina attacks. My dad only takes 5 mg nicorandil (meant to take two) so the diarrhoea is a big puzzle at the moment. They say he will have an appointment to review the medicines soon. Hope it is sooner rather than later.

[Originalsixties in reply to Hidden]

Thinking of you, I hope everything is ok 💕

[Tyronefitsimmons in reply to Originalsixties]

Nicorandil is your problem, , Tyrone

[Hidden]

Hi Tyrone, thanks for your reply. Have you had experience of Nicorandil? My Dad is only taking 5 mg of the medicine per day, if Nico is responsible I am amazed at to the effect. What would you recommend instead of having the risk of angina? Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post

[Tyronefitsimmons in reply to Hidden]

Nicorandil does not suit every one ,so take it up with your health professional, there are other medications that could work,. medications do sometimes have side effects.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Tyronne

I suggest you have a read of the forum guidelines.

This is a peer to peer support group and the forum has this written in the guidelines

'Please do not

Recommend that anyone stops taking medication without talking to a healthcare professional first, or give healthcare advice. '

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

[Tyronefitsimmons in reply to Milkfairy]

Firstly I have spent over 52 years in medical practice , and in retirement I still use my skills to the best of my ability to help others who are getting nowhere, and in pain, so please tell me of your expertise,, . , do you have a milk round to attend to. . , Tyrone..

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Tyronefitsimmons]

Please read the guidelines of the BHF forum rather than shooting the messenger.

This is a peer to peer support group.

Your response to me was unnecessarily rude.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Zinge,

I have been taking 30mgs of Nicorandil twice a day for years along with 120mgs isosorbide mononitrate.

I have no problems.

However that is me.

I suggest you talk again to the GP.

It maybe something else that's causing you dad's diarrhoea so collecting a stool sample would be helpful.

I hope your dad feels better soon and this distressing symptom is resolved soon.

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks for your reply. This is a really useful post. It’s like Sherlock Holmes at home trying to work out what’s going on. Stool and blood samples done, and will take it from there. It might well be an infection.

[Manhattan1]

yes.. was advised by Cardiologist to stip taking it.. he stated that this side effect is common

[Hidden in reply to Manhattan1]

Thanks for your reply. How soon did you recover? Dad is still running to the loo, nearly 2 weeks now. Blood test etc should be back tomorrow

[Manhattan1 in reply to Hidden]

couple of weeks after stopping both nicorandil and omaprazole things settled down.. and still ok.. another Consultant prescribed both.. not a Cardiologist.. my Cardiologist was extremely surprised regarding the omarazole and promptly stopped it

[Hidden in reply to Manhattan1]

Thanks for your message, blood sample and stool sample ok. GP suggests it could be diverticulitis, so not eating anything for a few days to relieve stomach. Will see. Nico stopped for time being. Hope we get to the bottom of this.