Hydralazine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Hydralazine?

What is Hydralazine for?

Hydralazine is a drug used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Hydralazine is called a vasodilator. This medication works by relaxing the blood vessels, so that blood can flow to the body more easily.

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

Hydralazine can also be used with other medications to treat heart failure.

How to use Hydralazine?

Use this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 2-4 times daily or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to this treatment. Your doctor can give you a low dose and gradually increase the dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Use this remedy regularly for the best benefits. To help you remember, use this medication at the same time every day. It is important to continue using this medication even if you are getting better. Many people with high blood pressure don't feel sick. It may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of this medication.

Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions can get worse when this medicine stops being used suddenly. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Tell your doctor if your condition worsens (for example, when you check your blood pressure regularly).

How to store Hydralazine?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Hydralazine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Hydralazine for adults?

Dosage that adults use for hypertension

Initial dose: 10 mg by mouth 4 times a day for the first 2-4 days. Increase to 25 mg by mouth 4 times a day for balance in the first week.

For the next few weeks, increase the dose to 50 mg by mouth 4 times a day.

Maintenance dose: set dosage to the lowest effective level.

Dosage that is commonly used by adults for hypertension emergencies

Initial dose: 20 - 40 mg IV or IM, repeated as needed. Certain patients (especially those with marked kidney damage) may require lower doses.

Dosage that adults use for congestive heart failure

Initial dose: 10 mg by mouth 4 times a day
Dosage development: Increasing the dose to 800 mg three times daily has been effective in reducing excess in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

What is the dosage of Hydralazine for children?

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established in controlled clinical trials, despite experience with the use of Hydralazine Hydrochlodie in pediatric patients. The recommendation is usually a parenteral dose, which is given via deep muscle or deep vein, which is 1.7-3.6 mg / kg body weight per day, divided into 4-6 doses.

In what dosage is Hydralazine available?

Solution, injection, as hydrochloride: 20 mg / mL (1mL).
Tablets, orally as hydrochloride: 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg.

Hydralazine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Hydralazine?

Seek emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects such as:

• Heart beating fast
• swelling of the face, stomach, hands, or feet
• numbness, burning, pain, or tingling
• felt like passing out
• confusion, unusual thoughts or habits
• pale skin, easy bruising
• difficulty or pain when passing stools
• dark colored urine
• urinating less or not at all
• joint pain or swelling with fever, chest pain, feeling weak or tired

Less serious side effects include:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
• diarrhea
• headache
• dizzy
• anxious
• muscle or joint pain
• runny nose
• fine itching or skin rash

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you are concerned about the side effects please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Hydralazine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Hydralazine?

Before using hydralazine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have an allergy to hydralazine, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some foods and medicines), or other drugs
• told doctors and pharmacists what prescription and non-prescription drugs were used, especially indomethacin (Indocin), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), and vitamins
• tell the doctor if you have or have ever had coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, liver or kidney disease, or a heart attack
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using hydralazine, call your doctor
• If you have had surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking hydralazine
• ask your doctor about using alcohol safely when using hydralazine. Alcohol can cause the side effects of hydralazine to worsen

Is Hydralazine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,

· N = Unknown

Hydralazine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Hydralazine?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Can food or alcohol interact with Hydralazine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of side effects but may not be avoided in some cases. When used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medication, or give you specific instructions about use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Enteral nutrition
• food

What health conditions may interact with Hydralazine?

The presence of other medical problems can affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, specifically:

• angina (severe chest pain)
• blood disease
• heart attack
• heart rhythm problems
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• peripheral neuritis (nerve problems)
• stroke
• systemic lupus erythematosus — Use with caution. Can make conditions even worse
• coronary artery disease
• vitral valvular rheumatic rheumatic heart disease — Should not be used in patients with this condition.
• kidney disease - Use with caution. The effect can be increased due to the low elimination of the drug in the blood.
• phenylketonuria — An oral solution that contains aspartame, which can make this condition worse.

Hydralazine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.