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isosorbide

Osmotic Diuretic · Diuretic

Osmotic DiureticDiuretic
CDSCO approved
EXCRETION
not curated
INTERACTIONS
7 major
incl. contraindicated
PREGNANCY
not curated
Top interactionssee all 7
  • SildenafilContraindicatedDatabaseDDInter
  • TadalafilContraindicatedDatabaseDDInter
  • AvanafilSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • Nitrous AcidSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Isosorbide acts as a nonreabsorbable solute in the proximal tubule and loop of Henle. It limits the osmosis of water into the interstitial space, reducing luminal Na+ concentration and ceasing net Na+ reabsorption. By extracting water from intracellular compartments, it expands extracellular fluid volume and reduces medullary tonicity, which diminishes passive NaCl reabsorption in the ATL.

Indications

dialysis disequilibrium syndromecontrol intraocular pressure (acute attacks, preoperatively, postoperatively in ocular surgery)reduce cerebral edemareduce brain mass (before and after neurosurgery, in traumatic brain injury)Reduce intraocular or intracranial tension

Dosing

Adult
0.5–1.5 g/kg as oral solution

Pharmacokinetics

Half-life
5–9.5
Bioavailability
Orally active
Excretion
renal excretion of intact drug

Contraindications

  • anuric due to severe renal disease
  • active cranial bleeding
  • heart failure
  • pulmonary congestion

Side effects

Common
headachenauseavomiting
Serious
  • pulmonary edema (in heart failure or pulmonary congestion)
  • hyponatremia
  • hypernatremia
  • dehydration

Drug interactions

Sildenafil
Contraindicated
Database

Severe hypotension.

Absolute contraindication.

Source: DDInter

Tadalafil
Contraindicated
Database

Dangerous hypotension

Absolute contraindication.

Source: DDInter

Avanafil
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Nitrous Acid
Severe
Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Riociguat
Severe
Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Tizanidine
Severe
Database

.

Source: DDInter

Vardenafil
Severe
Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

5 additional low-confidence interactions hidden — those rows lack a documented mechanism or management plan in our sources.

Related guidelines

Other Osmotic Diuretic drugs

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Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team