Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Nicorandil may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for The name of your medicine is Nicorandil 10 mg or 20 mg Tablets (called Nicorandil in this leaflet). The active ingredient in this medicine is called Nicorandil. This belongs to a group of medicines called 'potassium channel activators'. Nicorandil is used to prevent or reduce painful signs (angina pectoris) of your heart disease. It is used in adults who cannot take heart medicines called beta-blockers and/or calcium antagonists. This medicine works by increasing the blood flow through the blood vessels of the heart. It improves the blood and oxygen supply to your heart muscle and reduces its workload.
e Nicorandil Do not take Nicorandil if you:
These side effects can occur at the beginning of treatment or later in the treatment course. Talk to your doctor straight away if you notice any of the signs above. See section 4 for a full list of side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Nicorandil if you:
Nicorandil Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The recommended dose is:
540 mm
Talk to your doctor before taking medicines for inflammation (corticosteroids) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines including aspirin, with this medicine. If taken together, you may be more likely to get ulcers or the other problems mentioned above.
140 mm Taking this medicine
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Serious side effects Talk to your doctor straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects:
PM CODE: PRODUCT NAME: SAP ID / GMID: AW VERSION: CREATION DATE: AW BY: SUPPLIER:
GENERAL INFO: 1065034749 NICORANDIL TAB BL6X10 M18 GB 902828, 902827 V2 29.09.2022 DD/updated by Iulian Szidelo RPG LIFE SCIENCES LIMITED (RPGLS)
REASON OF REVISION: TW277934 ZN7260-61 IAIN add Andrews House as additional batch release site FORMAT (size): LAETUS (pharma code): FONT + MIN. SIZE: MATERIAL TYPE (TS): COLOURS: [ 1 ] Black
TECHNICAL INFO: 140 × 540 mm N/A Helvetica Neue LT W1G 9 pt / lining space 10 pt N/A TECH. COLOURS: [ 1 ] DieCut
1065034749
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Nicorandil Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use Nicorandil after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after 'EXP'. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not use this medicine if you notice any visible signs of deterioration. Store below 25°C. Keep the blister strip in the outer carton. Use each blister strip within 30 days of opening. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
What Nicorandil tablets contain
or Zentiva Pharma UK Limited, First floor, Andrews House, College Road, Guildford, GU1 4QB, United Kingdom.
This leaflet was last approved in September 2022
1503690-0 1065034749
540 mm
Nicorandil 10mg Tablets comes as tablet containing 10mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Nicorandil 10mg Tablets is nicorandil.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Nicorandil 10mg Tablets. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Nicorandil 10mg Tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Nicorandil is indicated in adults for the symptomatic treatment of patients with stable angina pectoris who are inadequately controlled or have a contraindication or intolerance to first-line antianginal therapies (such as beta-blockers and/or calcium antagonists).
Posology
The usual therapeutic range is 10 to 20 mg twice daily. The usual starting dose is 10 mg twice daily (bid), in the morning and in the evening preferably. It is recommended that the dose be titrated upwards in accordance with the patient's needs, response and tolerance up to 40 mg twice daily, if necessary. A lower starting dose of 5 mg twice daily may be used in patients particularly prone to headache.
Elderly
There are no special dose requirements for elderly patients, but as with all medicines, use of the lowest effective dose is recommended.
Patients with liver and/or renal impairment
There are no special dosage requirements for patients with liver and/or renal impairment.
Paediatric population
Nicorandil is not recommended in paediatric patients since its safety and efficacy have not been established in this patient group.
Method of administration
Nicorandil is administered by oral route.
The tablets are to be swallowed in the morning and in the evening as a whole with some liquid.
Administration is independent of food intake.
• Hypersensitivity to nicorandil or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
• Patients with shock (including cardiogenic shock), severe hypotension, or left ventricular dysfunction with low filling pressure or cardiac decompensation.
• Use of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, since this can lead to a serious drop in blood pressure (see section 4.5).
• Use of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator(s) (such as riociguat) since it can lead to a serious fall in blood pressure (see section 4.5)
• Hypovolaemia.
• Acute pulmonary oedema.
Ulcerations
Gastrointestinal ulcerations, skin and mucosal ulceration have been reported with nicorandil (see section 4.8).
• Gastrointestinal ulcerations
Nicorandil induced ulceration may occur at different locations in the same patient. They are refractory to treatment and most only respond to withdrawal of nicorandil treatment.
If ulceration(s) develop, nicorandil should be discontinued (see section 4.8).
Healthcare professionals should be aware of the importance of a timely diagnosis of nicorandil-induced ulcerations and of rapid withdrawal of nicorandil treatment in case of occurrence of such ulcerations. Based on available information, the time between starting nicorandil use and the onset of ulceration ranges from shortly after initiating nicorandil treatment to several years after starting nicorandil.
Gastrointestinal haemorrhage secondary to gastrointestinal ulceration has been reported with nicorandil. Patients taking acetylsalicylic acid or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) concomitantly are at increased risk for severe complications such as gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Therefore caution is advised when concomitant use of acetylsalicylic acid or NSAIDs and nicorandil is considered (see section 4.5).
If advanced, ulcers may develop into perforation, fistula, or abscess formation.
Patients with diverticular disease may be at particular risk of fistula formation or bowel perforation during nicorandil treatment.
Gastrointestinal perforations in context of concomitant use of nicorandil and corticosteroids have been reported. Therefore, caution is advised when concomitant use is considered.
• Eye ulcerations
Very rare conjunctivitis, conjunctival ulcer and corneal ulcer have been reported with nicorandil. Patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms and monitored closely for corneal ulcerations. If ulceration(s) develops, nicorandil should be discontinued (see section 4.8).
Decrease of blood pressure
Caution is advised if nicorandil is used in combination with other medicinal products with blood pressure lowering effect (see sections 4.5 and 4.8).
Heart failure
Due to lack of data, caution is advised to use nicorandil in patients with heart failure class NHYA III or IV.
Hyperkalaemia
Severe hyperkalaemia has been reported very rarely with nicorandil. Nicorandil should be used with care in combination with other medical products that may increase potassium levels (see sections 4.5 and 4.8).
Desiccant
The tablets are sensitive to moisture; hence the patients should be advised to keep the tablets in their blister until intake. Besides the nicorandil tablets, each blister contains active substance-free silica gel tablets as desiccant in a separate blister segment which is marked accordingly. The patients should be advised not to take these tablets. Although any accidental intake of this desiccant is usually harmless, it may alter the scheduled intake of the active tablets.
Paediatric population
Nicorandil is not recommended in paediatric patients since its safety and efficacy have not been established in this patient group.
G6PD deficiency
Nicorandil should be used with caution in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Nicorandil acts in part through its organic nitrate moiety. The metabolism of organic nitrates can result in the formation of nitrites which may trigger methemoglobinemia in patients with glucse-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Excipients
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
Concurrent use of nicorandil and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, e.g. sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, is contraindicated, since it can lead to a serious drop in blood pressure (synergic effect).
Concomitant use of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators (such as riociguat) is contraindicated, since it can lead to a serious drop in blood pressure.
Therapeutic doses of nicorandil may lower the blood pressure of hypotensive patients. If nicorandil is used concomitantly with antihypertensive agents or other medicinal products with blood pressure lowering effect (e.g. vasodilators, tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol), the blood pressure lowering effect may be increased.
Dapoxetine should be prescribed with caution in patients taking nicorandil due to possible reduced orthostatic tolerance.
Gastrointestinal perforations in the context of concomitant use of nicorandil and corticosteroids have been reported. Caution is advised when concomitant use is considered.
In patients concomitantly receiving NSAIDs including acetylsalicylic acid for both cardiovascular prevention and anti-inflammatory doses, there is an increased risk for severe complications such as gastrointestinal ulceration, perforation and haemorrhage (see section 4.4).
Caution is advised when nicorandil is used in combination with other medical products that may increase potassium levels (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
The metabolism of nicorandil is not significantly affected by cimetidine (a CYP inhibitor), or rifampicin (a CYP3A4 inducer). Nicorandil does not affect the pharmacodynamics of acenocoumarol.
Pregnancy
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of nicorandil in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).
As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of nicorandil during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Animal studies have shown that nicorandil is excreted in small amounts into the breast milk.
It is not known whether nicorandil is excreted in human milk, therefore nicorandil is not recommended during breastfeeding.
Fertility
There are insufficient data on fertility to estimate the risk for humans (see section 5.3).
Nicorandil has an influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Indeed, as with other vasodilators, blood pressure lowering effects as well as dizziness and feeling weakness induced by nicorandil can reduce the ability to drive or to use machines. This effect can be increased in conjunction with alcohol or other products with blood pressure lowering effect (e.g. vasodilators, tricyclic antidepressants) (see section 4.5). Therefore, patients should be advised not to drive or use machines if these symptoms occur.
Summary of safety profile
The most common adverse reaction reported in clinical trials is headache occurring in more than 30% of patients, particularly in the first days of treatment and responsible for most of study withdrawal.
Progressive dose titration may reduce the frequency of these headaches (see section 4.2).
In addition, serious adverse reactions including ulcerations and their complications (see section 4.4) were reported during the post marketing surveillance of nicorandil.
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
The frequencies of adverse reactions reported with nicorandil are summarised in the following table by system organ class (in MedDRA) and by frequency. Frequencies are defined as: Very common (≥ 1/10); Common (≥ 1/100, < 1/10); Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000, < 1/100); Rare (≥ 1/10,000, < 1/1,000); Very rare (< 1/10,000); Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Very common
Common
Uncommon
Rare
Very rare
Not known
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperkalaemia
(see sections 4.4 and 4.5)
Nervous system Disorders
Headache
Dizziness
Eye disorders
Corneal ulcer, conjunctival ulcer, conjunctivitis (see section 4.4)
Diplopia
Cardiac Disorders
Heart rate increased
Vascular Disorders
Cutaneous vasodilation with flushing
Decrease in blood pressure (see section 4.4)
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Vomiting, nausea
Gastrointestinal ulcerations (stomatitis, aphtosis, mouth ulcer, tongue ulcer, small intestinal ulcer, large intestinal ulcer, anal ulcer) (see below and section 4.4)
Gastrointestinal haemorrhage (see section 4.4)
Hepato-biliary Disorders
Liver disorders such as hepatitis, cholestasis, or jaundice
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash, pruritus
Angio- oedema, skin and mucosal ulcerations (mainly perianal ulcerations, genital ulcerations and parastomal ulcerations)
(see section 4.4)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Myalgia
General disorders and administration site conditions
Feeling of weakness
Description of selected adverse reactions
Gastrointestinal ulcerations
Complications of gastrointestinal ulceration such as perforation, fistula, or abscess formation sometimes leading to gastrointestinal haemorrhage and weight loss have been reported (see section 4.4).
Additional Information
In addition, the following adverse reactions have been reported with different frequencies in the IONA (Impact of Nicorandil in Angina) study, where nicorandil has been used on top of standard therapy in patients with stable angina and at high risk of cardiovascular events (see section 5.1).
Common
Uncommon
Very rare
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Rectal bleeding
Mouth ulcer
Abdominal pain
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Angio-oedema
Musculoskeletal & connective tissue disorders
Myalgia
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Symptoms
In case of acute overdose, the likely symptomatology may be peripheral vasodilation with a fall in blood pressure and reflex tachycardia.
Management
Monitoring cardiac function and general supportive measures are recommended. If not successful, increase in circulating plasma volume by fluid substitution is recommended. In life-threatening situations, administration of vasopressors must be considered.
Ask anything about Nicorandil 10mg Tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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