isosorbide dinitrate vs isosorbide mononitrate
Side-by-side comparison of isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Isordil
Imdur
Isosorbide dinitrate is a medicine that helps prevent chest pain (angina). It relaxes your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow to your heart.
Isosorbide mononitrate is a medicine that helps prevent chest pain. It relaxes your blood vessels, so your heart doesn't have to work as hard.
This medicine is used to prevent chest pain caused by heart disease. It does not work fast enough to stop chest pain that has already started. You should use other medicines for sudden chest pain.
This medicine is used to prevent angina, a type of chest pain. Angina is caused by heart disease. This medicine will not help if you are having chest pain right now.
Isosorbide dinitrate is a type of drug called a nitrate. It works by widening your blood vessels. This allows more blood to flow to your heart and reduces chest pain.
Isosorbide mononitrate is a nitrate. It works by relaxing the muscles in your blood vessels. This allows more blood and oxygen to flow to your heart while reducing its workload.
- • Headache
- • Headache
- • Dizziness
- Shortness of breath 1,749
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,415
- Feeling tired 1,392
- Feeling lightheaded 1,348
- Loose stools 1,319
- Shortness of breath 1,503
- Feeling lightheaded or unsteady 1,397
- Loose or watery stools 1,249
- Feeling tired or weak 1,242
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,231
You should not take this medicine if you are also taking drugs for erectile dysfunction (like sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil) or riociguat. Taking these medicines together can cause very low blood pressure.
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to nitrates or nitrites.
It is not known if this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
It is not known if this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
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How to Read This isosorbide dinitrate vs isosorbide mononitrate Comparison
isosorbide dinitrate is classified in the Nitrate Vasodilator drug class, while isosorbide mononitrate sits within the Nitrate Vasodilator class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, isosorbide dinitrate has 7,223 submissions while isosorbide mononitrate has 6,622. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.