What is hydralazine?
Hydralazine (generic for Apresoline) is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Like many blood pressure drugs, hydralazine is most effective when taken alongside lifestyle changes - including diet, exercise, and weight loss - that will improve your cardiovascular health.
Looking for a safe, effective way to lower your blood pressure? Talk to your doctor about whether hydralazine is right for you.
What are the most common side effects of hydralazine?
While adverse reactions to hydralazine are uncommon, some patients who take the drug may experience mild side effects, including diarrhea, flushing, headache, upset stomach, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, watery eyes, stuffy nose, and rash.
Rare, more serious side effects have been known to occur. If you are concerned about additional side effects, please contact your provider directly.
Hydralazine - sometimes sold under the brand name Apresoline - is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
While hydralazine is effective in lowering your blood pressure, it is recommended that you take this drug while also making lifestyle changes - including diet and exercise - that will improve your cardiovascular health.
Hydralazine is used to treat high blood pressure (sometimes called hypertension). This may include high blood pressure as a result of pregnancy (pre-eclampsia or eclampsia) or in emergency situations when blood pressure is extremely high. Hydralazine may also be used after heart valve replacement and for treating heart failure.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding your prescription.
Hydralazine belongs to a class of medications called vasodilators. These work by relaxing and dilating (opening up) the blood vessels. This makes it easier for blood to flow through your arteries and veins, reducing the force behind each heartbeat and lowering your blood pressure.
Hydralazine has been shown to cause some side effects. Talk to a health care provider if these symptoms become severe or persist for more than a few days. Some side effects observed while taking hydralazine include:
These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. You may also speak with your health care professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these unwanted effects. Talk to your doctor if any of these are severe or do not go away. Some side effects may be serious. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Fainting Joint or muscle pain Fever Rapid heartbeat Chest pain Swollen ankles or feet Numbing or tingling in the hands or feet
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or if you have ever had a heart attack, or have coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, or heart, kidney or liver disease. It is important that you also provide a complete list of any medications or supplements that you are currently taking.
To learn more about adverse effects you may experience while taking this medication, speak to your doctor or visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.
The typical starting dose for hydralazine is 10 mg orally for the first 2 to 4 days. It is then increased to 25 mg 4 times a day for the rest of the first week. It is increased again in week 2 to 50 mg 4 times a day. The maintenance dose will ultimately be adjusted to the lowest effective level.
You will want to take hydralazine with food to avoid an upset stomach. Be sure you use hydralazine only as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist and ask if you have any questions.
Hydralazine is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.
Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not hydralazine is right for you.
Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.
Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.
Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.
