Hydralazine (Oral Route)

Name: Hydralazine (Oral Route)

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of hydralazine in geriatric patients.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Angina (severe chest pain) or
  • Blood disease or
  • Heart attack, history of or
  • Heart rhythm problems or
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
  • Peripheral neuritis (nerve problem) or
  • Stroke, history of or
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Coronary artery disease or
  • Mitral valvular rheumatic heart disease—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
  • Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
  • Phenylketonuria—The oral solution contains aspartame, which can make this condition worse.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For high blood pressure:
    • For oral dosage form (oral solution):
      • Adults—40 to 200 milligrams (mg) per day, divided into two or four doses.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 0.75 to 7.5 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into two or four doses.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—At first, 10 milligrams (mg) four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg four times a day.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 0.75 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into four doses. The doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 7.5 mg per kg of body weight per day or 200 mg per day.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

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