Hydralazine

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure.
• It can also be used in combination with another medicine for the treatment of a weakened heart.

How does it work?

• Hydralazine relaxes blood vessels lowering blood pressure.
• This also takes the pressure off a weakened heart. The heart does less work, but a better job of circulating blood, oxygen, and food through the body.

How is it best taken?

• Take with food.
• Follow diet plan as recommended by healthcare provider.
• A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine without talking with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification for heart disease.
• Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
• Do not use over-the-counter products that may affect blood pressure. This includes cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
• Swelling of abdomen, hands, or feet.

What should I monitor?

• Watch for swelling of legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain, exercise tolerance. If any of these worsen call healthcare provider.
• Report a 3-5 pound weight gain if you have heart failure.
• Check blood pressure regularly.
• Follow diet plan and exercise plan as recommended by healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Fever, joint pain or swelling.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature.
• Follow directions on label for storage of liquid solution.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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