Compare Imdur vs. Nitrostat

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

Prescription only

Prescription only

Relieves chest pain.

Isosorbide mononitrate is good for chest pain, but you have to be able to stick to your dosing schedule or it won't work as well.

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2.9/ 5 average rating with 34 reviewsforImdur

Relieves chest pain.

Nitroglycerin is the fastest-working medicine to relieve chest pain, but make sure to sit down before taking it.

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3.5/ 5 average rating with 63 reviewsforNitrostat

Upsides

Prevents heart-related chest pain (angina) from the narrowing of heart blood vessels (coronary artery disease).

First-choice treatment for quick relief of heart-related chest pain (angina).
Can also be used to prevent chest pain from happening.
Available in various forms that take effect at different speeds and stay in your system for different lengths of time. Sublingual form works the fastest (1-3 minutes) but lasts the shortest in your body (25 minutes), while the patch form takes the longest to start working (30 minutes) but lasts the longest (10-12 hours). Your doctor can help you find the one that's best for you.

Downsides

You can develop tolerance to this medicine over time, which means that the same dose becomes less effective. You have to stick to a really specific dosing schedule to prevent this from happening.
Headaches are normal with this medicine and they go away as your body gets used to it, but they can be severe or not tolerable for some people.

You can develop tolerance to this medicine over time, which means that the same dose becomes less effective. You have to stick to a really specific dosing schedule for the extended-release, ointment, and patch forms to prevent this from happening.
Headaches are normal with this medicine and they go away as your body gets used to it, but they can be severe or not tolerable for some people.

Used for