Hydralazine

About Hydralazine

Hydralazine is used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure.

How does Hydralazine work?

Hydralazine works directly on the tubes that carry your blood throughout the body(blood vessels). This medicine relaxes and widens your blood vessels which allows blood to flow freely and decrease blood pressure. This also reduces the work load of a failing heart.

Useful information

• Heart failure occurs when the power with which the heart beats to pump blood to the body reduces. This makes you easily fatigued and fluid to build up in your legs or chest (edema). High blood pressure and other heart diseases can cause heart failure if not managed.

What are the side-effects I may experience?

You may experience:

• Headache

• Fast or pounding heart beat (Palpitations)

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Muscle pain

Are there any medications and foods I should avoid?

You may eat normally while taking hydralazine. Excess salt can cause hypertension. It is advisable to reduce your salt intake.

Alcohol can worsen dizzy side effects. Alcohol also worsens high blood pressure. Consumption of alcohol is therefore not recommended.

I forgot a dose. What should I do?

If you forget to take your prescription, take it as soon as you remember.

If you miss a dose, don’t take a double dose.

If your next dose is approaching, skip the missed dose and take the next one.

Can I drive or operate machinery?

Your driving ability can be impaired when when you using hydralazine. You shouldn’t operate heavy machinery or drive when you experience this side-effect.

Alcohol can worsen this effect.

Should I be bothered about possible addiction or dependence?

Hydralazine isn’t addictive.

Will my sexual performance, fertility or contraceptive be impaired?

• Hydralazine hasn’t been proven to affect sexual performance or fertility.

  Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you encounter any problems. You should not stop taking your medications.

• Certain contraceptives are not recommended for women with high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any contraceptives long-term.

  Hydralazine doesn’t affect the effectiveness of contraceptives.

Can I use this medication if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

• You should not take hydralazine when pregnant unless prescribed by your doctor.

  Your doctor may prescribe hydralazine late in your pregnancy if it is essential.

• Hydralazine is secreted in breast milk in very small amounts. Hydralazine may be prescribed by your doctor when necessary.

  You should observe your baby and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if he/she feeds poorly or you have any concerns.