Do long acting nitrates affect sleep?

[Skykitty1]

Hi, hoping someone that has experience with taking long acting nitrates can help answer my question.

I was prescribed Isosorbide Mononitrate 25mg by my GP for angina but I am worried it may affect my sleep. Has anyone else had an issue with it affecting their sleep?

I took it once and got a horrible headache all day which didn’t even go away with painkillers! I usually just rely on GTN spray for my angina pain and I am already on a few meds for high blood pressure. Perhaps I just need to try a lower dose? I read on this forum about someone taking 10mg

[Hidden]

You have no doubt been prescribed slow release Isosorbide Mononitrate for good reason, so I suggest you take it as directed for a two week trial and see how it goes, making note of all perceived side effects, of which headaches is certainly one, as I found out when I took it for a short period, although it didn't affect my sleep pattern. You may find that over the two week period your headaches reduce and in the end become tolerable, but if they don't and there are other apparent side effects as well I suggest you then talk things through with your prescribing health professional to see if there are any alternatives available for you.

[Skykitty1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply.

Headaches are a common side effect from nitrates.

[1959DarkBurst]

Hi, my sleep was certainly not affected. If you are on two a day are you taking them at the right times - normally 8.00 and 15.00? I take a once a day version called Monomil which suits me very well. Anyway, the important thing is to check with you GP.

[Skykitty1 in reply to 1959DarkBurst]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, dosage is important for nitrates.

[benjijen]

I am on 60mg. Other than the expected headache for a couple of weeks, I've not had any side effects. In fact when GP tried to reduce it to 30mg I ended up back in hospital! I have unstable angina.

[Skykitty1 in reply to benjijen]

Thanks for your reply.

I’ll probably just manage with a lower dose of nitrates.

[Alison_L]

Hi Skykitty. I’ve been on 25mg once a day for around 4 years now with no obvious issues x

[Skykitty1 in reply to Alison_L]

Thanks for your reply.

I sounds like I’m very sensitive to nitrates.

[Alison_L in reply to Skykitty1]

Many of us react badly to one heart medicine or another, so you're not alone xx