The key difference between isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate is that isosorbide mononitrate is primarily used in the management of chronic stable angina, whereas isosorbide dinitrate is recommended for heart failure.
Isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate are important medications for some heart diseases. They differ from each other according to their applications and properties.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Isosorbide Mononitrate
3. What is Isosorbide Dinitrate
4. Isosorbide Mononitrate vs Isosorbide Dinitrate in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Isosorbide Mononitrate vs Isosorbide Dinitrate
What is Isosorbide Mononitrate?
Isosorbide mononitrate is a medicine important in treating heart-related chest pain, heart failure, and oesophagal spasms. The most common brand names of this medication are “Monoket” and “Imdur”. The major route of administration for this drug is oral administration. According to pharmacokinetic data, isosorbide mononitrate has a bioavailability of about 95%, and its protein binding ability is about 5%. The metabolism of this drug occurs in the liver, and the elimination half-life is about 5 hours. Excretion of isosorbide mononitrate occurs through kidneys.
Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of Isosorbide Mononitrate
We can use this medication to both treat and prevent heart-related chest pain. But it is less preferred compared to beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers.
There can be some side effects of using this medication, which include headache, low blood pressure, blurry vision, and skin flushing. Furthermore, there can be some severe effects as well, which include low blood pressure when exposed to PDE5 inhibitors, e.g. sildenafil.
What is Isosorbide Dinitrate?
Isosorbide dinitrate is a medication important in treating heart failure, oesophagal spasms, and treating chest pain that comes from not enough blood flow to the heart. This medicine is particularly used in heart failure due to the ability of systolic dysfunction in combination with hydralazine. The route of administration for this medicine is oral, but it can be taken under the tongue as well.
Figure 02: The Chemical Structure of Isosorbide Dinitrate
The most common side effects of isosorbide dinitrate include headache, lightheadedness when standing, and blurred vision. There can be some severe side effects as well, such as low blood pressure. The trade name of this drug is “Isordil”.
According to pharmacokinetic data, the bioavailability of this drug is about 25% on average, and its metabolism occurs in the liver. The elimination half-life of isosorbide dinitrate is about 1 hour, and the excretion occurs through the kidney.
In addition to other medications given for congestive heart failure, isosorbide dinitrate is useful in treating angina. This medication is commercially available in two forms: as an oral tablet both in extended-release and slow release.
What is the Difference Between Isosorbide Mononitrate and Isosorbide Dinitrate?
Isosorbide mononitrate differs from isosorbide dinitrate according to the number of nitro groups per molecule. The key difference between isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate is that isosorbide mononitrate is primarily used in the management of chronic stable angina, whereas isosorbide dinitrate is recommended for heart failure.
Moreover, isosorbide mononitrate has a bioavailability of about 95% while isosorbide dinitrate has a bioavailability of about 25%. In addition, the elimination time of isosorbide mononitrate is about 5 hours whereas the elimination time of isosorbide dinitrate is 1 hour.
The following infographic presents the difference between isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Isosorbide Mononitrate vs Isosorbide Dinitrate
Isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate are important medications for some heart diseases. They differ from each other according to their applications and properties. The key difference between isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate is that isosorbide mononitrate is primarily used in the management of chronic stable angina, whereas isosorbide dinitrate is recommended for heart failure.
Reference:
1. “Isosorbide Mononitrate: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects.” Drugs.com.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Isosorbide mononitrate” By Vaccinationist – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Isosorbide dinitrate structure” By Vaccinationist – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia