Hydralazine belongs to the class of drugs known as vasodilators. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in order to facilitate the flow of blood in the body.
What is Hydralazine?
Hydralazine is used to treat high blood pressure. It can also be prescribed after replacing a heart valve or to treat heart failure.
How should Hydralazine be taken?
Hydralazine is available in the form of tablets for oral use, generally following a dose of 2-4 times a day.
Side effects associated with Hydralazine
Among the possible adverse effects of hydralazine are included the following:
- redness
- headache
- stomach discomfort
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- constipation
- watery eyes
- stuffy nose
- rash
It is important to immediately contact a doctor if you experience any of the following:
- fainting
- muscle or joint pain
- fever
- fast heartbeat
- chest pain
- swelling of feet or ankles
- numbness or tingling in the hands or ankles
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Hydralazine
Before taking hydralazine it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to hydralazine, its ingredients, to aspirin, tartrazine or any other medication
- You are taking other medicines, herbal medicines and supplements, particularly when it comes to indomethacin, metoprolol or propranolol
- You have ever had a heart attack or if you have heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, or kidney or liver diseases
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is also important to warn surgeons and dentists of any treatment with hydralazine underway and recall that alcohol can worsen the side effects of the active substance.
