Isosorbide dinitrate is a vasodilator used to treat angina in coronary artery disease. Its actions are similar to nitroglycerin but with a slower onset of action.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Isosorbide dinitrate is converted to the active nitric oxide to activate guanylate cyclase. This activation increases levels of cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP activates protein kinases and causes a series of phosphorylation reactions which leads to dephosphorylation of myosin light chains of smooth muscle fibres. Finally there is a release of calcium ions which causes smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation.
- Primary indication
- For the prevention of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease.Curator reviewed · 3 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C6H8N2O8 · 236.1363 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1998 · United States, 1968
- Also known as
- Dinitroisosorbide · Dinitrosorbide · ISDN · Sorbide nitrate · Sorbidnitrate
- Code names
- C01DA08
- Brand names
Resolves to
MOYKHGMNXAOIAT-JGWLITMVSA-NSMILES[H][C@]12OC[C@H](O[N+]([O-])=O)[C@@]1([H])OC[C@H]2O[N+]([O-])=OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 13, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Isosorbide dinitrate, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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