Isosorbide mononitrate

[Kazzie68]

Hi, wondering if anyone can help, I’ve just been prescribed Isosorbide mononitrate for angina and I’m struggling with the migraine type headaches they’re causing (day 3 so far). I’m planning on persevering as told this will pass but wondered if anyone had any tips on making it more bearable. Thanks in advance - take care all x

[Hidden]

You may find that the headaches gradually subside after a week or two as your body gets used to this medication. Apparently this often occurs. However if your headaches persist and become unbearable, especially if it is necessary to increase the dose to control your angina, I suggest you discuss with your GP who may be able to offer an alternative.

[Kazzie68 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply x

[BridBoy]

In my experience it's a brilliant drug, combined with loosing weight and building up my excercise levels it all but got rid of any angina issues I had.The headache does take a week or two to go.

[Kazzie68 in reply to BridBoy]

Thank you x

[Angioman]

Hi, I had exactly the same as you to start with. The headaches lasted for about the first week and gradually reduced to feeling a bit hung over the 2nd and 3rd weeks. I wondered about seeking an alternative but stick with it. No side effects at all after about 4 weeks but the effect of the tablets outweighs the shortish term headaches so there is light at the end of the tunnel for you. Hope that helps a bit

[Kazzie68 in reply to Angioman]

Thanks x

[MONIREN]

I had bad headaches with Nicorandil ,I barely got any sleep, which in itself causes headaches. I swapped to Isosorbide and headaches more manageable, everyone is different, but please let a professional know, even if it's your pharmacist. Just difficult to get into to anyone to get it changed. Drinking plenty of water does help. All the best. Take care. Moni

[Kazzie68 in reply to MONIREN]

Thank you x

[Plum53]

I have also been given these tablets and the first week and a half had really bad headaches I took paracetamol which helped. I am now on my fourth week and am glad to say seem to be okay with no headaches now. Hopefully this will be the case with you. Good luck

[Kazzie68 in reply to Plum53]

Thanks x

[Kazzie68]

The headaches really are headsplitters aren’t they! I’ve suffered migraines most of my life and pain wise these are on a similar level but come in waves, literally stopping me in my tracks! I appreciate everyone’s replies and entering day four I will go with advice you have all given and push through. Thanks again, take care everyone x

[getbusyliving]

You didn't mention what dosage that you have been prescribed. If you can power through with current dose until headaches ease - great. Alternatively, you could ask your GP whether temporarily dropping down to a lower dose for a short period might help you settle . Worst outcome would be that you abandon it as current dose is too strong too quick.Talk to you GP.

[Kazzie68]

30mg once a day, going to try the power through approach for a week and see how it I’m finding it then x

[James4540]

I was on these in early days after MI and tbh headaches never got any better, you could set you watch by them, took meds at 7:30-8:00am and by 2pm they started, cardiologist told me to take them at 2pm but onjy moved them till 8-9pm 🤦🏻‍♂️, he advised me to stop taking them after that.

On a completely different set of meds now 3 1/2 years on and haven’t suffered them since

[Kazzie68 in reply to James4540]

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind x

[Tootsie37]

I'm a newby to this medication as well, it took me about 2 months to used to it. I had head aches, felt sickly, feeling full most of the time and dizzyness .. hopefully if you persist your body will adjust... good luck 🤞🤞

[Kazzie68 in reply to Tootsie37]

Thanks. I’m on day 7 now and it seems to be improving, the splitting headaches and sore neck are less constant and only seem to come in waves now so I’m hoping I’m getting used to it 🤞🏻

[BJJB in reply to Kazzie68]

Hi I have just started this medication 30 mg a day and I too have head splitting headaches and neck pain - painkillers do not really touch it - did your pain subside? I am 5 days in

[Kazzie68 in reply to BJJB]

Awful isn’t it! I’ve been on them two months now, it took about three weeks or so for the absolute head splitters and neck pain to pass but I still get a brief milder version daily but nothing like the first few weeks when it lasted for hours. Hopefully yours will improve quicker x

[BJJB]

thanks for reply - any top tips for pain relief or is it just grit your teeth and bear it ?

[Kazzie68 in reply to BJJB]

No real tips I’m afraid - I took paracetamol to little effect but drank plenty of water and found moving rather than sitting seemed to help with the pain in my neck x

[NKW787]

Hi there, just found your post and really helped me. I have had The most awful migraine type headaches since starting these 60mg last wednesday. Also on Atovastatin so wasnt sure which if either medication it could be but now I do believe its the IM. Non stop head and neck pain for 5 days now.....Nothing I can take pain med wise has worked but you have to be so careful not to over take....Thank you for posting this very helpful question.

[Kazzie68]

I’m only on 30mg, for some reason they prescribe and supply them as 60mg tablets and I have to split them and take 1/2 a tablet each day. I’m 2 1/2 months in now and still get a bad head / neck pain daily albeit much, much milder. Hopefully your symptoms will settle soon 🤞🏻

[Bran_flow]

Hiya just found your post I was same on 25mg headaches were absolutely awful couldn't get off sofa as laying on my left side on a rolled up pillow in the dark seemed to help. 2 months on now they have eased alot have the odd gentler headache but nothing like the first 4 weeks. Only complaint now since starting them is not being able to sleep at all. Do you have any problems with sleep. I was taken off bisporol as couldn't stay awake at all even during the day went from one extreme to the other.

[Kazzie68 in reply to Bran_flow]

Thanks for your reply. With regards sleep, I find I have to stay up quite late (1am) if I want to stay asleep. If I go to bed at a reasonable time, say 11.30pm, I’ll be awake again by 2.30am and struggle to get back to sleep. I take bisoprolol and have found I’m more lethargic since they upped my dose but it’s manageable thankfully.

[Bran_flow in reply to Kazzie68]

Yes I'm the same I get up at 6am usually went to bed around half 9 asleep by half 10 now I'm awake anything between 3 and 4 absolutely exhausted most days. Definitely going to ring doctors tomorrow to ask don't think they'll put me on bisporol again but could give me something else. Thank you for replying

[Kazzie68 in reply to Bran_flow]

Good luck, take care x

[Bran_flow]

Same to you Kazzie68 take care of yourself 💕

[Caradomben]

I have the same problem . Terrible headaches like pulsating and migraine type. Been on them 7 days now and still struggling. My GP had suggested stopping them for 2 week then starting a slow release tablet (Elantan LA) . I am reluctant to stop for 2 weeks though . Not sure what to do now

[Kazzie68]

I’ve been back to my GP as over three months in I’m still getting miserable headaches / neck pain every afternoon and didn’t have this prior to starting them. It’s the same sort of pain I get if I ever use the GTN spray. My GP has sent an advisory request to the cardiologists to see what they recommend I do so until they reply I’m grinning and bearing it 😬. I hope you get yours sorted, take care x