Nicorandil
Description
Nicorandil is used to prevent or reduce the pain and strain on the heart caused by certain cardiovascular disorders. It is used in patients who cannot take certain other cardiovascular drugs called beta-blockers. It is also used for patients in whom the pain is not adequately controlled by other agents. This medicine is not recommended for use in children.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Nicorandil
- Hypersensitivity
- Yellowing of skin and eyes
- Increase in the potassium levels
- Watery eyes
- Gastric Ulcer
- Hypotension
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness and Drowsiness
Uses of Nicorandil
What is it prescribed for?
- Angina pectoris
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?It is recommended that you do not consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of very low blood pressures, dizziness, and drowsiness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and Nicorandil are used together.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Nicorandil or any other components present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Other Medicines
Since Nicorandil may interact with many medicines and may cause severe side effects, it is advised that you report all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements to the doctor before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Drowsiness
This medicine may cause side effects such as low blood pressure, drowsiness, and dizziness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Ulcerations
This medicine may cause ulcerations in different locations, including skin, conjunctiva, cornea, and the gastrointestinal tract. Therapy with Nicorandil should be discontinued if the ulcerations are persistent and refractory to treatment.
Cardiovascular Diseases
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of cardiovascular diseases such as cardiogenic shock or acute myocardial infarction due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
If a dose of the oral form (tablet) of this medicine is missed, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Since the injection form of this medicine is administered in the hospital/clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral forms: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose with this medicine.
Injections: Since the injection form of this medicine is administered in the hospital/clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
It is recommended that you do not consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of very low blood pressures, dizziness, and drowsiness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and Nicorandil are used together.
Interaction with Medicine
Corticosteroids
Riociguat
NSAIDs
Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE) inhibitors
Vasodilators
Disease interactions
Gastrointestinal Disorders
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Any gastrointestinal symptoms such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, etc. should be reported to the doctor on priority. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor. The injection form of this medicine should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Nicorandil works by improving the blood flow through the blood vessels of the heart, reducing the workload on the heart and relieving the symptoms of pain.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antianginal agents, Potassium channel activators
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 21 August 2017]. Available from:
Nicorandil - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 21 August 2017]. Available from:
TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence [Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2017 [cited 21 August 2017]. Available from:
Nicorandil (substance) [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 21 August 2017]. Available from:
DBGET Search Result: All databases nicorandil [Internet]. Genome.jp. 2017 [cited 21 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 29 Aug 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.