Sorbitrate Sublingual Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Sorbitrate Sublingual Tablet contains isosorbide dinitrate, a nitrate medicine (antianginal agent) that widens blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow and reducing the workload on the heart. It is used to prevent and relieve angina (chest pain) caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It is taken under the tongue and works quickly to help manage angina symptoms.

What is Sorbitrate Sublingual Tablet

Sorbitrate is a nitrate medicine that widens blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow and reducing the workload on the heart. It is used to prevent and relieve angina (chest pain) caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

Sorbitrate Sublingual Tablet uses

• Prevent and relieve angina (chest pain) caused by reduced blood flow to the heart
• Ease the workload on the heart
• Improve how much physical activity a person can manage
• Chronic heart failure

Benefits of Sorbitrate Sublingual Tablet

• Helps reduce how often and how severely angina attacks happen
• Helps improve how much activity you can manage
• Improves blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart

How Sorbitrate Sublingual Tablet works

Isosorbide dinitrate causes the body to release nitric oxide, which relaxes the smooth muscles of blood vessels. This widens (dilates) the blood vessels, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart and helping to prevent angina attacks.

Sorbitrate Sublingual Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor; do not take more or for longer than recommended. If possible, rest or stay seated when you use this medicine, since it can cause dizziness or fainting.

To treat an angina attack, use the medicine at the first sign of chest pain. Place the sublingual tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve slowly; do not chew or swallow it. It can also be dissolved between the cheek and gum. It may be taken 5 to 10 minutes before physical activity or at the first sign of angina. This medicine is not meant for stopping an angina attack that is already happening.

You may take additional tablets every 5 minutes, but do not exceed the recommended limit within 15 minutes. Seek emergency medical help if chest pain gets worse or lasts more than 5 minutes, especially with trouble breathing, weakness, dizziness, nausea, or lightheadedness.

If taken regularly to prevent angina, do not stop suddenly, as this could cause a severe angina attack. Do not change brands without your doctor's approval. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach. Keep this medicine on hand at all times in case of an angina attack, and refill your prescription before running out. Stand up slowly if you feel light-headed.

If you miss a dose and are on a regular schedule, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due soon, in which case skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Available forms and strengths

Tablet

Side effects of Sorbitrate Sublingual Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Flushing (redness of the face or neck)
• Low blood pressure
• Palpitations (change in heartbeat)
• Nausea
• Tiredness/weakness
• Warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under the skin

Serious

• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heart rate
• Blurred vision or dry mouth
• Nausea, vomiting, sweating, pale skin, feeling like you might pass out
• Difficulty in breathing
• Signs of allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine if you are using sildenafil (Viagra) or similar erectile dysfunction drugs, as this combination can cause serious, life-threatening side effects from a severe drop in blood pressure.
• This medicine can cause severe headaches, especially when you first start taking it. These usually lessen over time. Do not stop taking the medicine because of headaches, and ask your doctor before using any headache medication.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, or nitroglycerin.
• An overdose of this medicine can be fatal. Seek emergency medical attention right away if you think you have taken too much.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly if you use it regularly to prevent angina, as this could trigger a severe angina attack.
• This medicine may worsen symptoms of glaucoma, so tell your doctor if you have this condition.
• Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
• Older patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, so your doctor will monitor you closely and adjust the dose if needed.
• This medicine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, and discuss the risks and benefits before use.
• It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or could harm a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor about any kidney problems before taking this medicine, since you may need dosage adjustment or special monitoring.
• Tell your doctor about any liver problems before taking this medicine, as they will decide if it is safe for you.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can increase dizziness, drowsiness, light-headedness, or fainting.
• This medicine can affect your thinking or reactions. Be careful driving or doing anything that requires alertness, especially if you feel dizzy or drowsy.

Storage

• Store isosorbide dinitrate at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light
• Keep the medicine in its original container
• Throw away any leftover medicine on the expiration date
• Store below 30°C
• Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light and moisture
• Keep out of reach of children
• Use the product before its expiry date

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Seek emergency medical help if your chest pain gets worse or lasts more than 5 minutes, especially if you also have trouble breathing, weakness, dizziness, nausea, or lightheadedness.
• Call your doctor right away if you have a fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heart rate, blurred vision, dry mouth, or feel like you might pass out along with nausea, vomiting, sweating, or pale skin.
• Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medicine, as an overdose can be fatal.

Alternatives

• Other nitrate medicines prescribed for angina
• Isosorbide Mononitrate
• Nitroglycerin (Glyceryl Trinitrate) sublingual tablet