How to Use

Take this drug exactly as directed by your family doctor . It will work only if taken correctly.

This form of nitrate is using to reduce the number of angina attacks. In most cases, it will not relieve an attack that has already started because it works too slowly - the extended-release form releases drug gradually over a 6-hour period to provide its effect for 8 to 10 hours. Check with your family doctor if you need a fast-acting drug to relieve the pain of an angina attack.

Take this drug with a full glass - 8 ounces of water on an empty stomach . If taken either 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, it will start working sooner.

Extended-release capsules and tablets are not to be broken, crushed, or chewed before they are swallowed . If broken up, they will not release the drug properly.

Dosage

The number of capsules or tablets that you take depends on the strength of the drug. Always the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug depend on the medical problem for which you are taking nitrates .

For isosorbide dinitrate
• For angina - chest pain:
  • For regular - short-acting oral dosage forms - capsules or tablets:
    • Adults 5 to 40 mg four times a day.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For long-acting oral dosage forms - extended-release capsules or tablets:
    • Adults 20 to 80 mg every eight to twelve hours.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your family doctor.

For isosorbide mononitrate
• For angina - chest pain:
  • For regular - short-acting oral dosage form - tablets:
    • Adults 20 mg two times a day. The two doses must be taken seven hours apart.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For long-acting oral dosage forms - extended-release tablets:
    • Adults 30 to 240 mg once a day.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

For nitroglycerin
• For angina - chest pain:
  • For long-acting oral dosage forms - capsules or tablets:
    • Adults 2.5 to 9.0 mg every eight to twelve hours.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your family doctor.

Missed dose If you are taking this drug regularly and you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if the next scheduled dose is within 2 hours - or within 6 hours for extended-release capsules or tablets, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.