Isosorbide mononitrate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 20, 2023.

Applies to isosorbide mononitrate: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, isosorbide mononitrate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking isosorbide mononitrate:

Less common

• Abnormal heart sound
• absence of or decrease in body movement
• arm, back, or jaw pain
• black, tarry stools
• bladder pain
• bleeding after defecation
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• blurred vision
• body aches or pain
• burning while urinating
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain or discomfort
• chest tightness or heaviness
• chills
• cold sweats
• colds
• confusion
• convulsions
• cough or hoarseness
• decreased urine
• diarrhea
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• dilated neck veins
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• ear congestion
• extra heartbeats
• fainting
• fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• fever or chills
• flu-like symptoms
• frequent urge to urinate
• frequent urination
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• headache, severe and throbbing
• heart murmur
• increased need to urinate
• increased sweating
• increased thirst
• increased volume of pale, dilute urine
• irregular breathing
• itching, pain, redness, or swelling on the leg
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• lightheadedness
• loss of appetite
• loss of voice
• lower back, side, or stomach pain
• muscle aches and pains
• muscle cramps
• nasal congestion
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pain, tension, and weakness upon walking that subsides during periods of rest
• partial or slight paralysis
• passing urine more often
• pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
• pounding in the ears
• runny nose
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• shivering
• sneezing
• sore on the leg
• sore throat
• sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• sweating
• swelling
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• tightness in the chest
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• trouble sleeping
• troubled breathing
• uncomfortable swelling around the anus
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• weakness
• weight gain

Rare

• Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms
• dark urine
• pale skin
• rapid heart rate

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking isosorbide mononitrate:

Symptoms of overdose

• Blurred or loss of vision
• bulging soft spot on the head of an infant
• change in consciousness
• change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
• cold, clammy skin
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• halos around lights
• headache, severe and throbbing
• loss of consciousness
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• paralysis
• sensation of spinning
• tunnel vision

Other side effects

Some side effects of isosorbide mononitrate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach
• anxiety
• back pain
• belching
• blemishes on the skin
• bloated
• breast pain
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• change in color vision
• changes in vision
• cold sweats
• congestion
• constipation
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• cough producing mucus
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• difficulty seeing at night
• difficulty with moving
• discharge, excessive tearing
• double vision
• drooping upper eyelids
• dull ache or feeling of pressure or heaviness in the legs
• earache
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling of warmth
• feeling unusually cold
• frequent urge to defecate
• frozen shoulder
• full feeling
• hearing loss
• heartburn
• hyperventilation
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increased appetite
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
• increased sputum
• indigestion
• irritability
• itching skin near damaged veins
• lack or loss of strength
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• muscle or bone pain
• muscle stiffness or weakness
• nightmares
• noisy breathing
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• passing gas
• pimples
• poor concentration
• rash
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
• restlessness
• seeing double
• sensation of spinning
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung when listening with a stethoscope
• small lumps under the skin
• sore mouth or tongue
• stiff neck
• stomach bloating, burning, cramping, or pain
• stomach discomfort or upset
• straining while passing stool
• stuffy nose
• sudden sweating
• swollen feet and ankles
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• tenderness in the stomach area
• terrifying dreams causing sleep disturbances
• tooth disorder
• trouble swallowing
• uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck
• voice changes
• weight loss
• white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to isosorbide mononitrate: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

General

The most common adverse effects are headache and dizziness.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 57%), dizziness (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Light-headedness

Frequency not reported: Bitter taste, paresthesia, impaired concentration, tremor, hypoesthesia, migraine, neuritis, paresis, somnolence, fainting, drowsiness

Postmarketing reports: Syncope^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Cardiovascular disorder, flushing, hypotension

Frequency not reported: Acute myocardial infarction, apoplexy, arrhythmias, bradycardia, edema, hypertension, pallor, palpitations, tachycardia, hot flushes, cardiac failure, arrhythmia, arrhythmia atrial, atrial fibrillation, bundle branch block, extrasystole, ventricular tachycardia, angina pectoris aggravated, heart murmur, heart sound abnormal, myocardial infarction, Q wave abnormality, intermittent claudication, varicose vein, reflex tachycardia, collapse, bradyarrhythmia, paroxysmal bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disturbances

Frequency not reported: Dry mouth, dyspepsia, vomiting, constipation, flatulence, gastric ulcer, gastritis, glossitis, hemorrhagic gastric ulcer, hemorrhoids, loose stools, melena, heartburn^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Methemoglobinemia, thrombocytopenia, hypochromic anemia^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, pain, chest pain, tiredness

Frequency not reported: Susurrus aurium, vertigo, asthenia, fever, flu-like symptoms, malaise, rigors, earache, tinnitus, tympanic membrane perforation, breast pain, feeling of weakness^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory infection, increased cough

Frequency not reported: Asthma, dyspnea, sinusitis, bronchitis, bronchospasm, coughing, increased sputum, nasal congestion, pharyngitis, pneumonia, pulmonary infiltration, rales, rhinitis, hypoxia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus

Frequency not reported: Sweating, purpura, acne, hair texture abnormal, increased sweating, skin nodule, leg ulcer, exfoliative dermatitis, excessive perspiration, allergic dermatitis, hyperhidrosis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Emotional lability, sleep disturbances

Frequency not reported: Anxiety, depression, insomnia, nervousness, nightmares, restlessness, confusion, decreased libido, paroniria^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Myalgia

Frequency not reported: Back pain, muscle cramps, neck pain, arthralgia, frozen shoulder, muscle weakness, musculoskeletal pain, myositis, tendon disorder, torticollis^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Anorexia, thirst, decreased weight, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia, poor appetite^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Prostatic disorder, impotence, atrophic vaginitis, polyuria, urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Amblyopia, ptosis, conjunctivitis, photophobia, vision abnormal^[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Bacterial infection, moniliasis, viral infection^[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) increased, serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) increased^[Ref]

Endocrine

Frequency not reported: Pituitary hemorrhage^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Renal calculus^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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