Isosorbide mononitrate - bad headache

Hello due to ongoing chest pain etc, cardiologist put me on 30mg isosorbide mononitrate (Also started taking lansoprazole not sure which one is affecting bowels😩).

It’s only day two but I can feel the headache (sharp pain rather than dull ache) coming on already after taking an hour ago. I “googled” and various references stated a headache is an indication it is working!

Questions are anyone who takes this med do the headaches ease off? Chest pain / resultant tiredness wise, I am not sure made significant difference but appreciate Only day two. Will speak to a pharmacist but welcome learning from people’s experience.

But not looking forward to another day of headache - paracetamol didn’t do anything.

Thanks

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

We get many reports here of bad headaches with isosorbide mononitrate. Mine initial ones wore off in under a week, I have had the dose steadily increased (amongst a cocktail, of other drugs) with more headaches each time, but they settled. My angina is now much better managed with these and GTN spray, which also cause headaches.My view?

The occasional mild/moderate headache now, is a fairly small price to pay for a return to a more active life.

[Hidden]

It seems to be a fairly common event to suffer side effects with heart meds.Give it a few days and you will find that the effects will dissapear.

It's a great drug that opens up your arteries and allows blood to correctly flow around your body and importantly vital organs.

[croggler]

I was given that while I was still in hospital. I only took it for one day , the headache was hell, couldn’t lift my head off the pillow. I refused it after that & will be steering clear of anything nitrate .. Hope it eases very soon

[Dovaston]

As Kristin has said this is a common early side affect. I had this in the beginning and it eased after about 2 weeks. In my case I split the tablet in half and took half morning half evening which helped. Good Luck

[Griff-64]

I do remember the headaches when I started on isosorbide, but they eventually disappeared.I've been taking 1x 60mg twice a day for some years with little or no trouble.

Then I had a very bad time recently which I found was the isosorbide which the farmacist kept advising to take 2x 60mg once a day as it would work better.

I felt like a zombie, severe headaches, really intense and concentrated at times, and my BP which is normally on the plus side of normal dropped to something like 84/40, I really did feel unwell.

As I'd been started on 2 other new drugs at the time, by a process of elimination I found it was the isosorbide so went back to the original 1x 60mg twice a day. Problem sorted.

[Hidden]

Thank you all very reassuring This normal and especially helped you Kristin1812 with angina That is my hope too.n and yes I am prepared to pay the price hoping Headaches wears off Soon. They are intense. I’m going to persevere for now then think of dosage issues as noted above. Now I am going to close the curtains and lie in a darkened room. No telly no iPad.... thank you all. I was feeling very sorry for myself, crying does not help a headache 🤪

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

Good idea! You need to rest, and take it easy. Headache should fade……..but if you find it all too unbearable, perhaps call your GP. They may suggest an alternative or new combination.

[Hugiebear]

I have had constant chest pain For 10 months following NSTEMI and 7 stents and still no reason given for it. I had no chest pain at all pre HA. I have also just been prescribed isosorbide mono but had to stop it after 2 days as it wiped me out, I just wanted to lie down and sleep all day. Now waiting for a cardiology appointment to advise on possibility that the stents are the cause of the pain and if so what to do about it. I hope your pain will ease soon.

[Hidden in reply to Hugiebear]

Hi hope you find an answer soon, yes the headaches are awful the last few days. I’d say bit less today but the the chest pain is still here. Seen the same. Not sleeping well at all too. But will give it a bit longer. Good luck!