Monotrate Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Monotrate Tablet contains isosorbide mononitrate, a nitrate vasodilator used to prevent and manage angina (chest pain) caused by heart-related conditions. It works by relaxing and widening blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart and reducing the heart's workload. It is taken daily as prescribed and is not meant to relieve an angina attack that has already started.

What is Monotrate Tablet

Monotrate is a prescription medicine containing isosorbide mononitrate, used to prevent and manage chest pain (angina) caused by heart-related conditions.

Monotrate Tablet uses

• Prevents and treats angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart)
• Improves exercise tolerance in people with heart-related conditions
• Helps manage symptoms of heart failure in some cases, as advised by a doctor

Benefits of Monotrate Tablet

• Prevents episodes of chest pain (angina)
• Improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart
• Reduces the heart's workload, lowering the risk of complications
• Enhances quality of life in people with chronic heart conditions

How Monotrate Tablet works

Monotrate contains isosorbide mononitrate, a nitrate that relaxes and widens blood vessels. This improves blood flow to the heart and reduces how hard the heart has to work, which helps prevent chest pain from happening as often.

Monotrate Tablet dosage

Monotrate can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole; do not break, chew, or crush it. Take it at the same time every day to help you remember. It does not relieve an angina attack that has already started, so keep your fast-acting spray or tablet on hand for attacks. Take it daily as prescribed, even if you feel better, and do not stop without talking to your doctor.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not double up. This medicine is not recommended for use in children under 18 years as safety has not been established. Older patients may be more sensitive to side effects, so doctors may adjust the dose.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Monotrate Tablet

Common

• Headache, especially at the start of treatment
• Dizziness, especially on standing up
• Flushing (redness or warmth of the face or neck)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fast heartbeat

Serious

• Irregular heartbeat
• Severe low blood pressure
• Fainting or severe dizziness
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Hives and skin redness
• Burning, numbness, or tingling in the arms and feet
• Anxiety

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine together with medicines for erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil, because the combination can cause a dangerous, severe drop in blood pressure.
• Avoid this medicine if you have severe anemia, severe low blood pressure, a thickened heart muscle condition (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), or severely reduced blood flow to the brain, as it can worsen these conditions.
• Use this medicine with caution if you have low blood pressure, glaucoma, kidney problems, or have had a head injury.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor, as this can make your angina worse.
• This medicine should not be used if you recently had a severe head injury or have increased pressure around the brain, since it may raise pressure inside the skull further.
• This medicine is not meant to relieve an angina attack that has already started. Keep a fast-acting nitrate spray or tablet for that purpose instead.
• Pregnant women may have mild side effects from this medicine. It should only be used in pregnancy if your doctor recommends it, after discussing the risks and benefits.
• It isn't known for certain whether this medicine passes into breast milk, so check with your doctor before taking it while breastfeeding.
• People with kidney problems should use this medicine carefully, as the doctor may need to adjust the dose.
• People with liver problems should use this medicine carefully, as the doctor may need to adjust the dose.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can increase the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness.
• This medicine can make you feel dizzy, so avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, below 30°C
• Protect it from light and moisture
• Keep the tablets away from children and pets
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date has passed

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you notice signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
• Do not use this medicine if you have early signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain spreading to the jaw, neck, shoulder, arm, or back, along with sweating, nausea, tiredness, or sudden dizziness — seek medical help instead.
• Get medical help right away if you think you have taken too much of this medicine, or if you notice a severe drop in blood pressure or fainting.
• Seek medical help if your chest pain gets worse or lasts longer than usual.

Alternatives

• Monit
• Isotrate
• Isonitrate