Drug Information
Common brand names:
BiDil
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
Types of interactions:
Beneficial
Adverse
Check
Replenish Depleted Nutrients
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Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 can bind to hydralazine to form a complex that is excreted in the urine, increasing vitamin B6 loss. This may lead to vitamin B6 deficiency. People taking hydralazine should consult with their doctor to discuss the possibility of vitamin B6 supplementation.
Support Medicine
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Taking sustained-release tablets of ISDN with a high-fat meal might increase the absorption of the drug. Individuals who switch from a high-fat diet to a low-fat diet might require a change in the amount of ISDN taken daily. Therefore, people taking ISDN should talk with their healthcare practitioner before starting a low-fat diet.
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N-Acetyl Cysteine
The beneficial effects of ISDN are reduced following long-term treatment with the drug through a process known as tolerance. Controlled studies have shown that using intravenous and oral N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) reverses or prevents tolerance to nitrates. Another controlled study revealed that intravenous NAC enhanced the beneficial effects of ISDN on heart function. Therefore, people taking isosorbide dinitrate might benefit from supplemental NAC.
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Vitamin C
Some persons taking nitroglycerin or isosorbide mononitrate may find that it loses efficacy over time. This is because the body adapts to the drug, a process known as developing tolerance. One study found that taking 2 grams three times daily of vitamin C can decrease this effect when nitroglycerin patches are simultaneously used. Similar benefits have been confirmed in another study. However, it should be noted that it is also possible to avoid tolerance to these drugs by simply changing the dosing schedule. People taking ISMN or nitroglycerin should talk with their pharmacists about avoiding drug tolerance.
Potential Negative Interaction
The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.
