Hydralazine

Hydralazine is used to treat high blood pressure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Hydralazine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken two to four a day at evenly spaced intervals. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take hydralazine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Hydralazine controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take hydralazine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking hydralazine without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Hydralazine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
<li>
flushing (feeling of warmth)</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
constipation</li>
<li>
eye tearing</li>
<li>
stuffy nose</li>
<li>
rash</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
fainting</li>
<li>
joint or muscle pain</li>
<li>
unexplained fever</li>
<li>
rapid heartbeat</li>
<li>
chest pain</li>
<li>
swollen ankles or feet</li>
<li>
numbing or tingling in hands or feet</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking hydralazine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to hydralazine, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and medications), or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially indomethacin (Indocin), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, kidney or liver disease, or a heart attack. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking hydralazine. ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking hydralazine. Alcohol can make the side effects from hydralazine worse.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.