Ikotab (Nicorandil)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ikotab Used For?
Ikotab contains nicorandil, a medication that belongs to a group called potassium channel activators. It helps treat chest pain related to heart problems by improving blood flow to your heart.
Primary Uses
Ikotab is used to treat chronic stable angina pectoris, which is chest pain or discomfort caused by coronary heart disease.
How It Works
This medicine works by widening your blood vessels and increasing the blood supply to your heart muscle, which helps reduce chest pain.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive.
How to Take Ikotab
Take Ikotab exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It’s important to take it regularly and at the same times each day for the best results.
Dosage Instructions
The standard adult dose is 10 mg to 20 mg twice a day. Some patients may need a lower starting dose. Take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Take at about the same time each day.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Take your medicine regularly at the same time each day for best results.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Do not stop taking Ikotab or change your dose without checking with your doctor first.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache (usually occurs when starting treatment and doesn’t last long)
- Dizziness and light-headedness, especially when standing up
- Tiredness, drowsiness
- Cough
- Nausea, vomiting, indigestion
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Stomach ache
- Flushing, sweating
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
- Fever
- Muscle or body pain
- Trouble sleeping
- Nervousness
- Depression
- Itching
- Double vision
- Nose bleeds
- Skin abscess
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- High blood pressure
- Fast or irregular heartbeats
- Swelling of face, hands, ankles or feet
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Rash
- Ringing or persistent noise in ears
- Persistent mouth ulcers or genital, anal or skin ulcers
- Dark bowel motions and/or bloody diarrhea
- Inflammation of bowel wall (fever, vomiting, stomach pain)
- High potassium levels in blood
- Nerve paralysis
- Allergic reaction: swelling of face, lips, mouth or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where you should not take Ikotab or need special monitoring. Always tell your doctor about all your medical conditions.
Who Should Not Take Ikotab
Do not take Ikotab if you: are allergic to nicorandil or any ingredients; have low blood pressure that makes you feel faint, weak or dizzy; have serious heart diseases; are taking phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (for sexual function) or soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators like riociguat; have tablets from a blister pack that’s been open more than 30 days; or if the medicine is expired or damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: liver or kidney disease; diverticular disease (bowel condition); low blood pressure; other heart diseases; depression; glaucoma; high potassium levels in blood; mouth, stomach or skin ulcers; or any allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant as it may affect your developing baby. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Ikotab.
Children: Do not give this medicine to children. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Ikotab and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you’re taking.
- Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (used for sexual function problems)
- Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators
- Other vasodilator medicines (blood vessel wideners)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Other nitrates (for chest pain)
- Blood pressure medications
- Corticosteroid medicines
- Aspirin or NSAIDs like ibuprofen, diclofenac
Alcohol & Driving
Ikotab can affect your ability to drive safely and may increase the effects of alcohol. Take precautions until you know how this medicine affects you.
Alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking this medicine. Ikotab may increase the effects of alcohol. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Ikotab affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people. Do not drive if you feel dizzy. If you feel light-headed or faint, get up slowly from sitting or lying positions.
Storage
Keep Ikotab in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them – they must be protected from moisture. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Any unused tablets should be discarded 30 days after opening the blister strip. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you take too much Ikotab, you will probably feel light-headed or dizzy, or your heart may beat faster than normal. If you think you’ve taken too much, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but headaches that may occur when starting treatment generally don’t last long, suggesting the body adjusts to the medication relatively quickly.
Yes, you can take Ikotab with or without food. Take it in the morning and evening with a full glass of water.
No, this medicine is not addictive.
Do not stop taking Ikotab suddenly or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount before stopping completely. Don’t stop taking your tablets just because you’re feeling better unless advised by your doctor.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking this medicine. Ikotab may increase the effects of alcohol. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them, in a cool, dry place below 25°C. They must be protected from moisture. Discard any unused tablets 30 days after opening the blister strip.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.