Hydralazine (hye-DRAL-a-zeen)

Treats high blood pressure.

Brand Name(s):

hydrALAZINE HCl Novaplus

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• Your doctor will give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how hydralazine works. Tell your doctor if you are using diazoxide or an MAO inhibitor.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, lupus, or if you had a heart attack or stroke.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Lupus-like syndrome
  • Changes in heart rhythm
  • Nerve problems
• This medicine may lower your blood pressure too much and cause you to feel dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, unusual sweating, faintness
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
• Headache
• Redness, pain, swelling, itching, blistering, or rash where the shot was given
• Stuffy nose or watery eyes

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088