[6] Side effects listed in the British National Formulary include flushing, palpitations, weakness and vomiting.

[7] In humans, the nitrate action of nicorandil dilates the large coronary arteries at low plasma concentrations.

[7] At high plasma concentrations nicorandil reduces coronary vascular resistance, which is associated with increased ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) opening.

[7] Studies show that this is due to its KATP channel agonist action which causes pharmacological preconditioning and provides cardioprotective effects against ischemia.

[7] Nicorandil activates KATP channels in the mitochondria of the myocardium, which appears to relay the cardioprotective effects, although the mechanism is still unclear.

[11] Nicorandil is marketed under the brand names Ikorel (in the United Kingdom, Australia and most of Europe), Cordinic (in Russia), Angedil (in Romania, Poland), Dancor (in Switzerland), Nikoran, PCA (in India), Aprior (in the Philippines), Nitorubin (in Japan), and Sigmart (in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China).