HYDRALAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE

(Generic Name)

BRAND NAMES

Alazine

Apresoline

(Also available in generic form)

TYPE OF DRUG

Antihypertensive.

PRESCRIBED FOR

Aortic insufficiency; congestive heart failure; essential

hypertension (high blood pressure); heart valve replacement.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Although the mechanism of action is not completely understood,

it is felt that Hydralazine Hydrochloride lowers blood pressure

by enlarging the blood vessels throughout the body. This also

helps to improve heart functions and blood flow to the kidneys

and brain.

CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS

Long-term administration of large doses of Hydralazine

Hydrochloride may produce an arthritislike syndrome in some

people, although symptoms of this problem usually disappear

when the drug is discontinued. Fever, chest pain, not feeling

well, or other unexplained symptoms should be reported to your

doctor.

PREGNANCY/BREAST-FEEDING

This drug crosses into the blood circulation of a developing baby.

It has not been found to cause human birth defects.

Nevertheless, pregnant women, or those who might become

pregnant while taking this drug, should not take it without their

doctors' approval. When the drug is considered essential by your

doctor, the potential risk of taking the medicine must be carefully

weighed against the benefit it might produce.

This drug passes into breast milk, but has caused no problems

among breast-fed infants. You must consider the potential effect

on the nursing infant if breast-feeding while taking this medicine.

SENIORS

Older adults are more sensitive to the blood-pressure-lowering

effects of this drug and to the drug's side effects, especially low

body temperature. Follow your doctor's directions and report any

side effects at once.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Common side effects include headache, loss of appetite, nausea,

vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, and chest pain.

Less common side effects are stuffy nose, flushing, tearing in the

eyes, itching and redness of the eyes, numbness and tingling of

the hands and feet, dizziness, tremors, muscle cramps,

depression, disorientation, anxiety, itching, rash, fever, chills,

(occasional) hepatitis, constipation, difficulty in urination, and

adverse effects on the normal composition of the blood.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Hydralazine Hydrochloride should be used with caution by

patients who are taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially Indomethacin,

estrogens, and drugs with stimulant properties, will reduce the

effects of Hydralazine.

The combination of Hydralazine with other

blood-pressure-lowering drugs can produce very low blood

pressure.

Do not self-medicate with over-the-counter cough, cold, or

allergy remedies whose stimulant ingredients will increase blood

pressure.

FOOD INTERACTIONS

Hydralazine Hydrochloride may antagonize Vitamin B6

(pyridoxine), which can result in peripheral neuropathy,

including tremors and tingling and numbness of the fingers, toes,

or other extremities. If these occur, your doctor may consider

pyridoxine supplementation.

Take Hydralazine Hydrochloride with food.

USUAL DOSE

As with other antihypertensive drugs, dosage is tailored to your

needs.

Adult: Most people begin with 40 milligrams per day for the

first few days, then increase to 100 milligrams per day for the

rest of the first week. Dose increases until the maximum effect is

seen.

Child: 0.34 milligrams per pound of body weight per day and

up to 200 milligrams per day.

OVERDOSAGE

If symptoms of extreme lowering of blood pressure, rapid

heartbeat, headache, generalized skin flushing, chest pains, and

poor heart rhythms appear, contact your doctor immediately.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

Take this medicine exactly as prescribed.

If you forget to take a dose of Hydralazine Hydrochloride, take it

as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next

regularly scheduled dose, skip the one you forgot and continue

with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.