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| Pronunciation |
|
 (hye
DRAL a
zeen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Apresoline® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Hydralazine® (Canada); Apresolina
(Mexico); Novo-Hylazin (Canada); Nu-Hydral (Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Vasodilator |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to hydralazine or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have rheumatic heart disease that affected the mitral
valve.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- 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.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
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- 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.
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|
| 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 taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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|
| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room temperature.
- Follow directions on label for storage of liquid
solution.
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| 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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