HYDRALAZINE

Brand & Generic Names

Apresoline
Novo-Hylazin

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antihypertensive

Uses

Treatment for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Relaxes and expands blood vessel walls, lowering blood pressure.

Time lapse before drug works:
Regular use for several weeks may be necessary to determine drug's effectiveness.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs containing alcohol without consulting doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Rapid and weak heartbeat, fainting, extreme weakness, cold and sweaty skin, flushing.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Nausea or vomiting, rapid or irregular heartbeat.
• Headache, diarrhea, appetite loss, painful or difficult urination.

Infrequent:

• Hives or rash, flushed face, sore throat, fever, chest pain, swelling of lymph glands, skin blisters, swelling in feet or legs, joint pain.
• Confusion, dizziness, anxiety, depression, joint pain, general discomfort or weakness, fever, muscle pain, chest pain.
• Watery eyes and irritation, constipation.

Rare:

• Weakness and faintness when arising from bed or chair, jaundice.
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet, nasal congestion, impotence.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to hydralazine or tartrazine dye.
• You have history of coronary artery disease or rheumatic heart disease.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you feel pain in chest, neck or arms on physical exertion.
• If you have had lupus.
• If you have had a stroke.
• If you have had kidney disease or impaired kidney function.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug filters into milk. May harm child. Avoid.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:

• May cause lupus (arthritis-like illness).
• Possible psychosis.
• May cause numbness, tingling in hands or feet.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check blood pressure, complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), ANA titers*.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Vitamin B-6 diet supplement may be advisable. Consult doctor.
• Some products contain tartrazine dye. Avoid, especially if you are allergic to aspirin.
• May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Amphetamines*	Decreased hydralazine effect.
Antihypertensives,	Increased antihypertensive
other*	effect.
Carteolol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Diazoxide & other anti-	Increased antihypertensive
hypertensive drugs	effect.
Diuretics, oral*	Increased effects of both drugs.
	When monitored carefully,
	combination may be beneficial in
	controlling hypertension.
Guanfacine	Increased effects of both drugs.
Lisinopril	Increased antihypertensive effect.
	Dosage of each may require
	adjustment.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased hydralazine effect.
Nicardipine	Blood pressure drop. Dosages may
	require adjustment.
Nimodipine	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
Non-steroidal	Decreased effect of
anti-inflammatory	hydralazine.
Sotalol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Terazosin	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	May lower blood pressure
	excessively. Use extreme caution.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Increased risk of heart block and
	high blood pressure.
Foods:	Increased hydralazine absorption.
Marijuana:	Weakness on standing.
Tobacco:	Possible angina attacks.