Rinfocan- Prescription Drug Information for Canadians
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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.
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