The information in this leaflet applies only to your medicine

'Sorbitrate', please read it carefully. It gives you important

information but it can't tell you everything. If you have any

questions, or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor

or pharmacist.

'Sorbitrate' comes as tablets and each contains either 10mg

or 20mg of isosorbide dinitrate.

Each tablet contains a number of inactive ingredients which allow it

to be made. These are: lactose, magnesium stearate, starch,

pregelatinized starch. 'Sorbitrate' 10mg tablets also contain

quinoline yellow and 'Sorbitrate' 20mg tablets

also contain brilliant blue FCF.

'Sorbitrate' 10mg comes in containers of 100 and 500 tablets.

'Sorbitrate' 20mg comes in containers of 100 tablets.

'Sorbitrate' belongs to a group of medicines called vasodilators.

This means that it has effects on the blood vessels within your body,

and can cause both the veins and arteries to dilate, increasing the

size of these blood vessels. These blood vessels can therefore carry

more blood around the body and in particular to the heart.

The product licence holder and manufacturer of 'Sorbitrate' is:

Macclesfield

Cheshire

United Kingdom

‘Sorbitrate’ is used to prevent the onset of angina (chest pain) and in combination with other drugs. It is used to treat heart failure.

• Before taking your medicine you should tell your doctor if:

you have ever shown an allergic reaction to 'Sorbitrate' or to any other medicines containing either isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate.

you suffer from a very low blood pressure or have recently suffered from a heart attack.

• The tablets should not be used to try and make any attacks of chest pain better.
• Sorbitrate' should not be given to children.
• The tablets are only for you and must never be given to anyone else.

• Before taking your medicine tell your doctor if:

you are pregnant or are breast feeding.

you are taking any other medicines including those which you have bought. In particular tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension).

• Your tablets are unlikely to adversely effect your ability to drive a car or to operate machinery. However you should not perform such tasks. which require special attention until you know how you tolerate your medicine.
• If you go into hospital let the medical staff know you are taking 'Sorbitrate'.
• As mentioned earlier your tablets contain sugar which may cause a problem in a small number of patients who are sensitive to it.
• Only stop taking your tablets if your doctor tells you.

• Follow your doctor's instructions about when and how to take your tablets. Please READ THE LABEL on the container Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• To relieve the pain associated with angina: At the first signs of pain. one or two tablets should be chewed until completely dissolved in the mouth and then swallowed.
• For the prevention of an expected attack of pain associated with angina: If you are about to do something that you know may be associated with the development of chest pain then one or two tablets should be chewed until completely dissolved in the mouth and then swallowed
• Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water.
• Try to take your tablets at the same time each day.
• If you miss a dose take the dose as soon as you remember.
• If you take more than your normal dose contact your doctor or nearest hospital.
• Do not stop taking your tablets even if you are feeling well unless your doctor tells you.

As with all medicines undesirable events are sometimes experienced. With 'Sorbitrate' these may include:

• headache
• flushing of the face
• dizziness
• weakness

These may occur at the start of treatment but tend to become less as treatment continues.

Other effects which may occur less frequently include:

• nausea and vomiting
• dizziness on standing up
• rash

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible events. You may not have any of them.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist d you think you have any of these or any other problems with your tablets.

• You should keep your tablets below 25°C protected from moisture.
• Keep your tablets in the container they came in.
• If your doctor decides to stop your treatment return any left-over tablets to your pharmacist.
• Do not take your tablets after the expiry date on the container
• Keep your tablets in a safe place where children cannot see or reach them. Your tablets could harm them.

Date of preparation of leaflet: June 1995

‘Sorbitrate’ is a trade mark, the property of

ZENECA Limited