Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using isosorbide dinitrate as follows:
- Isosorbide dinitrate is contraindicated in individuals with abnormally high heart rates. So, if your heart rate is being abnormally high (consistently more than 100), with the use of isosorbide dinitrate, report this to your physician immediately.
- Do not use this medication if you have history of allergy or serious side-effects to isosorbide dinitrate or any other organic nitrate medications, such as, isosorbide mononitrate and nitroglycerin.
- Isosorbide dinitrate is contraindicated in individuals with abnormally low blood pressures. Use of isosorbide dinitrate in these individuals can result in extremely low blood pressure with reduced blood flow to vital organs. So, if your blood pressures are being consistently abnormally low, report this to your physician.
- Isosorbide dinitrate is mainly metabolized in the liver. If liver function is deficient, the metabolism of isosorbide dinitrate can be compromised. This can lead to increased blood levels of the medication for longer periods of time, resulting in compromised therapeutic benefits, toxicity and severe side effects. So, isosorbide dinitrate should be used with caution in individuals with hepatic dysfunction.
- Isosorbide dinitrate is mainly excreted by the kidneys. Individuals with renal disease cannot excrete isosorbide normally. So, this medication can stay in circulation for longer time, which can result in toxicity. So, isosorbide dinitrate should be used with caution in individuals with compromised renal function.
