Isosorbide mononitrate headache pain relief

[kushami36]

Is there anything stronger for pain relief of headaches from isosorbide mononitrate? I’ve tried aspirin and paracetamol, but they haven’t helped much.

Just wondering whether it is worth contacting specialist or not.

I have very limited energy and don’t want to put myself through the hassle of phone calls etc. if there is nothing available.

If nothing stronger is possible, I will keep going somehow until headaches subside (or not), 2–4 weeks.

(Actually the toothache is worse than the headache – all my teeth are jangled.)

[Happyrosie]

your first port of call would be the dispensing pharmacist or the pharmacist attached to your doctor’s group of surgeries.

Yes there are

[kushami36 in reply to Happyrosie]

Yes, have spoken to pharmacist, but forgot to write that because of headache/brainfog.

Will ask pharmacist about ibuprofen tomorrow and phone specialist if that doesn’t work.

I had mistakenly thought “No NSAIDS” but just realised that doesn’t apply to me because I don’t have heart failure or angina. (Long story.)

Good to know there is the possibility of something stronger if I need it. Feel slightly more cheerful.

Thank you.

[kushami36 in reply to Happyrosie]

Just out of interest, what stronger painkillers might be an option?

I contacted the cardiologist and he said there wasn’t anything stronger (i.e. prescription medication) that would be effective against nitrate headaches.

He then tried to pressure me into switching to nicorandil, for which I have several major contraindications, which made me feel very unsettled.

Luckily I seem to have turned the corner with the headaches, so it’s all moot now.

[Happyrosie in reply to kushami36]

I can only comment on what I was given for my arthritis etc problem. It would not be the same necessarily for a different cause and my doctor took an additional degree in pain management. What I’m now on do have several contraindications too but my quality of life is much improved.

[kushami36]

Just realised I shouldn’t be taking aspirin, according to this:

nhs.uk/medicines/isosorbide...

Edit: No, it’s okay after all because I am not taking it for heart failure or angina, and that’s why the pharmacist said it was okay.

[Lezzers in reply to kushami36]

You can get slow release isosorbide mononitrate which doesn't cause headaches. My husband used to get severe headaches on this medication but he was fine on the slow release ones. The headaches are a known issue, have a word with your Dr and ask to change to the slow release ones. Good luck

[kushami36 in reply to Lezzers]

Hmm, it says “modified release” on the packet. I will check with the pharmacist tomorrow. I am in Australia so we might have slightly different formulations here.

I’m glad your husband did well on the slow-release ones.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I was prescribed isosorbide mononitrate extended release tablets many years ago.

It took about 2 weeks for the 'nitrate head' to subside.

I found drinking lots of water and taking paracetamol helped.

For me it was worth going through the headache as isosorbide mononitrate is an important medication that helps manage my angina.

Perhaps ask you Cardiologist is there an alternative medication that you can be offered to help manage your health condition ?

Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs NSAIDs can interact with other medications so checking with a Pharmacist whether NSAIDs are suitable for you is a good idea.

I hope your headache subsides soon.

[kushami36 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you. I will have some more water.

I have made it through one week and want to keep going to see whether the headaches subside. The house is a mess but I feel the medication is working otherwise.

My pharmacist has been very kind, and I am okay to take NSAIDS short term (also confirmed with GP).

[Plum53]

Hi, I am on the same tablet slow release I had really bad headaches at first lasted two weeks but fine after that. I took paracetamol every four hours which helped. The headaches are a common side effect at first. Hope yours go soon .

[kushami36 in reply to Plum53]

Thank you. I feel like a bit of a baby for complaining. I’ve had worse headaches before, it’s just that it’s coming on top of other health problems,

I will keep up the aspirin. Odds are the headaches will subside. If not I will regroup and see what other options there are.

A family member came round and did the dishes and a load of laundry for me today so that was very helpful. I am not able to do much anyway and was worried what state my house might be in after two weeks of no housework!

[Plum53 in reply to kushami36]

Hope you feel better soon. Your health is more important than a bit of dust lol

[Blackknight57]

are you on any blood thinner? Regardless of heart condition.

NSAIDS are blood thinner.

I’m on warfarin No NSAID.

If you haven’t got angina or heart failure , why are you taking it.

First port of call your doctor.

Take codine and paracetamol (solpadine)

[Class52]

2 paracetamol worked for me but it took two weeks to get used to the tablets now no headaches at all.

[kushami36 in reply to Class52]

Glad to hear that. I will soldier on for another week!

[J0mic0]

Sinus infections can give teeth issues too.

[Carokai]

I have been on IM for 8 years now.

The first month was the worst headache wise for me, but the real game changer was moving to slow release.

Once my prescription was changed the headaches melted away.

[kushami36 in reply to Carokai]

Thank you. I think I am on the slow release version but will check with pharmacist tomorrow. I am keeping him busy!

[Furryears]

I have been on this for about 4 weeks now and the first three weeks the headaches and dizziness was unbearable, this has subsided over the last week, I was told to take paracetamol which I did and it did take the edge off it

If this is not getting any better please contact your cardiologist and let them know they may be able to prescribe something else

Let us know how you get on 😊

[kushami36 in reply to Furryears]

I’m gald the headaches and dizziness have subsided for you.

I tried the cardiologist but he wasn’t much help. Paracetamol is helping a bit. I will persevere and see what happens after another couple of weeks.

A family member popped around and did my dishes and laundry for me today, which helped a lot.

[Furryears in reply to kushami36]

I hope you get this sorted nothing worse than feeling like this x

[Sarah090174]

hiya, I was put on isorbide monitrate back in December and I couldn’t tolerate it due to headaches and started to retain fluid. I stopped it and the heart failure specialist swapped it to a drug called nicorandil which gave me headaches at first but now I am fine with it. It does the same job as isorbide monitrate. Maybe speak to the specialist s for advice. Hope this helps

[kushami36 in reply to Sarah090174]

Thank you for the suggestion. Unfortunately it seems I can’t take nicorandil for other reasons (have to double check with gastroenterologist and bowel surgeon). So much admin!

I’m glad you were able to switch to it and that didn’t cause headaches for you.

I will persevere a bit longer with the isosorbide and see what happens. At least I don’t have to work or do anything responsible at the moment. Just feeling a bit miserable and sorry for myself, I think.

[Sarah090174 in reply to kushami36]

Hiya, I am pleased that you found my suggestion helpful. I am sorry you are unable to take Nicorandil which is a shame. If it is any consolation I am currently under a gastroenterologist and dietician as I also suffer with inflammatory bowel disease and IBS. I also have heart failure and cardiac disease so working out the best medication combination has been a bit of a nightmare really. I hopefully now have the best combination to keep me reasonably stable. Hope that your body manages to adjust to the medication.