Ikorel

How does it work?

Ikorel tablets contain the active ingredient nicorandil, which is a type of medicine called a potassium-channel activator. It is used to help the heart work more easily.

The pain of angina is caused by too little oxygen reaching the heart when its workload increases, such as during exercise. This is usually a result of hardening of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This is also known as coronary heart disease. Nicorandil decreases the workload of the heart and also improves its blood and therefore oxygen supply.

Nicorandil works by acting on potassium channels that are found on muscle cells within the walls of blood vessels. It opens these channels, which causes the muscle cells to relax. When the muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels relax, it allows the blood vessels to widen.

Nicorandil widens the arteries that take blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This reduces the resistance within these arteries, which makes it easier for the heart to pump the blood around the body.

Nicorandil also widens the veins that return the blood to the heart. This decreases the volume of blood that returns to the heart with each heartbeat, and this makes it easier for the heart to pump that blood out again.

As a result of both these actions, the heart requires less energy to pump the blood around the body and therefore does not need as much oxygen. Nicorandil also widens the coronary arteries within the heart itself, and this increases the blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

Nicorandil is taken on regular basis to help the heart work more easily and thus prevent angina attacks. It has also been shown to reduce the risk of the complications of coronary heart disease, such as heart attacks, angina that occurs at rest and death from heart disease.

What is it used for?

Angina pectoris

Preventing the complications of coronary heart disease such as heart attack, unstable angina or death from heart disease

Warning!

This medicine might make you feel dizzy and so may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

If you drink alcohol while taking this medicine it might make you feel dizzy. Tell your doctor if this is the case.

This medicine is not recommended for children.

Use with caution in

People taking medicines to treat high blood pressure (see below)

Not to be used in

Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood (cardiogenic shock)

Left-sided heart failure

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. The manufacturer therefore advises that it should be avoided during pregnancy unless there is no safer alternative. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. For this reason, it should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Increased blood flow to the skin (flushing)

Dizziness

Nausea and vomiting

Feeling of weakness

Pain in the muscles

Rash

Low blood pressure

Increased heart rate

Mouth ulcers

Swelling of the lips and tongue (allergic reaction)

Abnormal liver function

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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