General medical information about
Imdur
 Use Imdur exactly as directed. Follow your
doctor's instructions, especially about the timing of your
doses. Your blood needs to be free of Imdur for a certain
period every day.
You may develop a headache because
of this medicine, but do not stop taking it. Take aspirin
or acetaminophen to treat the headache. Ask your doctor
which is best for you. This side effect usually goes away
as treatment with Imdur continues.
Do not stop taking
Imdur suddenly. Stopping suddenly could cause a severe angina
(chest pain) attack.
Do not drink alcohol while taking
this medication.
What is Imdur
Imdur is in a class of drugs called
nitrates. Imdur dilates (widens or relaxes) blood vessels
(arteries and veins). When blood vessels are dilated, it
is easier for the heart to pump. Also, more blood, which
is rich in oxygen, can flow to the heart.
Imdur is
used to prevent angina attacks (chest pain).
Imdur
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in
this medication guide.
Who should not take Imdur
Before taking this medication,
tell your doctor if you
- have had a heart attack
- have congestive heart failure
- have low
blood pressure;
- have had a stroke, a transient
ischemic attack (TIA, or mini-stroke), or a serious head
injury;
- have anemia;
- have an allergy to
nitrates;
- have closed-angle glaucoma;
-
suffer from migraines;
- have kidney disease; or
- have liver disease.
The conditions listed
above may prevent you from taking Imdur or you may need
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your therapy.
Imdur is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means
that it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby.
Do not take Imdur without first talking to your doctor if
you are pregnant.
It is also not known whether Imdur
passes into breast milk. Do not take Imdur without first
talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Imdur
Take Imdur exactly as directed
by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to
you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Imdur is usually taken first thing in the morning before
breakfast. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Swallow
the extended-release forms of Imdur whole. Do not crush
or chew them. They are specially formulated to release medication
slowly into your body.
Do not change brands of Imdur
without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some
brands of Imdur are interchangeable while others are not.
Your doctor and/or pharmacist will know which brand/generic
formulations may be substituted for another.
Do not
stop taking Imdur suddenly. Stopping suddenly could cause
a severe angina attack.
Store the tablets at room
temperature away from moisture and heat. Imdur tablets must
be stored in the container that your pharmacist gives them
to you in. Throw away any leftover Imdur on the expiration
date. Expired Imdur will not treat your condition.
If you miss a dose:
Take the missed dose
as soon as you remember. If you are taking the regular tablets
(not the extended-release tablets) and your next regularly
scheduled dose is within 2 hours, skip the dose you missed
and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. If you
are taking the extended release tablets and your next regularly
scheduled dose is within 6 hours, also skip the missed dose
and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not
take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose:
Seek emergency medical
attention.
Symptoms of an Imdur overdose include
a severe throbbing headache, difficult or slow breathing,
muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dizziness,
fainting, an irregular heartbeat, changes in vision, flushing,
and seizures.
Avoid while taking Imdur
Use caution
when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Also, stand up slowly from a sitting or lying
position. Imdur may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness,
avoid hazardous activities.
Avoid alcohol. It also
widens your blood vessels and it can cause very low blood
pressure, dizziness and drowsiness and you could endanger
yourself or others.
Do not stop taking Imdur suddenly.
Possible side effects of Imdur
If
you experience any of the following serious side effects,
stop taking Imdur and seek emergency medical attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing
of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face;
or hives);
- blurred vision or dry mouth; or
-
irregular heartbeat;
- fainting.
Other, less
serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take Imdur and talk to your doctor if you experience
- headache or dizziness,
- flushing (redness
of the face, neck, and chest),
- nausea or vomiting,
- a fast heartbeat,
- swollen ankles, or
-
weakness.
Side effects other than those listed here
may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect
that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Imdur
Do not use sildenafil
(Viagra), a drug used to treat impotence, while taking Imdur.
The combination could cause severe or life-threatening low
blood pressure.
Before taking Imdur, tell your doctor
if you are taking any of the following medicines:
-
dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45); or
- any other heart
medicines, especially those used to treat high blood pressure
or irregular heartbeats.
You may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if
you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Do not drink alcohol. Like Imdur, alcohol widens your blood
vessels, and it can cause very low blood pressure, dizziness,
and drowsiness. If you combine Imdur and alcohol, you could
endanger yourself or others.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Imdur
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
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