Patient Product Information Roche

ISMO®10mg

Isosorbide-5-mononitrate

What you should know about Ismo (isosorbide-5-mononitrate)

Please read this carefully before you start to take your medicine. This leaflet provides a summary of the information available on your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What is in your medicine?

The name of this medicine is Ismo. Ismo tablets are round, white, and come in three different sizes containing 10, 20 or 40mg of isosorbide-5-mononitrate. This leaflet applies to 10mg tablets only. Ismo 10 tablets are marked Ismo on one face and 10 on the reverse. Isosorbide-5-mononitrate is one of a group of medicines known as nitrates. Ismo tablets also contain anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate.

What does your medicine do?

Ismo is used to treat a type of chest pain called angina. It will help to reduce the number and severity of your anginal attacks. Ismo can also be used to treat heart failure.

Before taking your tablets

• Have you been allergic to isosorbide-5-mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate or lactose before?
• Do you have low blood pressure, or are you already taking medicine to lower blood pressure?
• Are you pregnant or breast-feeding?
• Have you ever suffered a heart attack?
• Do you have any other problems with your heart or circulation?
• Do you suffer from severe anaemia?
• Do you suffer from closed angle glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)?
• Have you suffered a head injury causing pressure in the brain?
• Do you suffer from the rare condition galactosaemia (an inability to digest carbohydrates and sugars found in food and milk products)?
• Do you suffer from hypothyroidism (underactivity of the thyroid gland)?
• Do you suffer from malnutrition?
• Do you have problems with your liver or kidneys?
• Are you taking any other medication?

If the answer is YES to any of these questions do not take this medicine until you have discussed this with your doctor.

Do not take Viagra (sildenafil) or other treatments for erectile dysfunction whilst taking Ismo. If Viagra (sildenafil) or other treatments for male erectile dysfunction are used by patients taking nitrate preparations such as Ismo, a severe and possibly dangerous fall in blood pressure can occur. This would result in collapse, unconsciousness and could be fatal.

Taking your medicine

It is important to take your Ismo tablets at the right time as your doctor has explained to you. The pharmacy label will tell you how many to take, and how often. The usual dose is two or three tablets daily. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have not taken Ismo before, your doctor may tell you to take Ismo 10 for a few days i.e. 10mg isosorbide mononitrate (1 tablet) daily for 2 days followed by a dosage of 20mg daily (1 tablet morning and evening) for a further 3 days.

Please swallow the tablets whole, with a drink of water. If you forget to take a tablet, take one as soon as you remember on that day. Continue your treatment as usual the following morning.

Angina may need treatment for life. Keep taking Ismo unless your doctor tells you to stop. Do not suddenly stop taking your tablets as you may then feel unwell.

If you or anyone else accidentally take too many tablets (overdose), tell your doctor at once, or contact the nearest hospital casualty department. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie flat with your legs raised higher than your head.

After taking your medicine

These tablets may cause side effects in a few people. At the start of treatment, you may have a headache or feel dizzy but these effects should gradually go away.

Some people may feel sick (nausea) or be sick (vomit) or feel weak. A very few people may notice flushing, a fast heart beat, itching or a rash. Some people may experience a slowing of the heart beat and increase in chest pain.

You may feel dizzy or light-headed if you stand up or move suddenly, particularly if you have been drinking alcohol.

You should tell your doctor if you have any of these effects or any other effects which worry you.

In addition, if you develop or experience worsening of chest pains, contact your doctor.

Storing your medicine

• Store this medicine in a safe place where children cannot reach it. Your tablets may harm them.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the blister strip and carton.
• If your doctor tells you to stop taking your tablets, return any leftover tablets to the pharmacist. Only keep them if your doctor tells you to.
• REMEMBER this medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to others. It may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours.