Hydralazine (hydralazine HCl)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Hydralazine hydrochloride is a vasodilating agent.
USES: This medication is used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Hydralazine belongs to a class of drugs known as vasodilators.
It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily.
Generic name: hydralazine HCl
Pronunciation: (hye-DRAL-a-zeen)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Hydralazine
Indications
The following indications are listed for Hydralazine:
- Hypertension
Also known as: Elevated Blood Pressure, Essential Hypertension, Hyperpiesia, Hyperpiesis, Hypertensive Disorder, Systemic Arterial Hypertension.
Dosing
When hydralazine therapy is discontinued in patients with a marked reduction in blood pressure, withdrawal should be gradual to avoid a possible sudden increase in blood pressure. One study found 20-25 mg of IV hydralazine hydrochloride approximately equal to 75-100 mg of oral hydralazine hydrochloride.
Patients with severe renal failure may require a lower dosage of hydralazine.
Hydralazine hydrochloride usually is administered orally. In patients who are unable to take the drug orally or when a rapid decrease in blood pressure is required, the drug may be given IM or IV. Oral therapy with hydralazine should replace parenteral therapy as soon as possible.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
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There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
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Safe use of hydralazine in pregnancy has not been established. Hydralazine is teratogenic in mice and possibly in rabbits but not in rats. Teratogenic effects in animals have included cleft palate and malformation of facial and cranial bones.
A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials comparing hydralazine with other antihypertensive agents for the treatment of severe hypertension during pregnancy showed that hydralazine was associated with a higher incidence of maternal hypotension, placental abruption, cesarean sections, and oliguria, as well as a higher incidence of lower Apgar scores and adverse effects on fetal heart rate than the other hypotensive drugs. In one study in 13 pregnant women with long-standing hypertension during 15 pregnancies who received combination therapy with hydralazine and propranolol, 14 live births and one unexplained stillbirth were reported. The only neonatal complications observed were 2 cases of mild hypoglycemia. In patients receiving hydralazine during pregnancy, the drug and its metabolites have been detected in maternal and umbilical plasma using a nonselective assay. The manufacturers state that although clinical experience with the drug does not indicate any positive evidence of adverse effect on the human fetus to date, hydralazine should not be used during pregnancy unless the possible benefits outweigh the potential risks to the fetus.
It is not known whether hydralazine is distributed into breast milk. Because many drugs are distributed into milk, the drug should be used with caution in nursing women.
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ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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