Hydralazine

What is this medication for?

Hydralazine is used to treat high blood pressure. This medication works by relaxing blood vessels and helps to lower the blood pressure. 

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• You may take this medication with or without food. 

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, just take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses together to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.  

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

Most of the side-effects listed here will improve with time. Speak with your healthcare professionals if any of them continues, worsens, or affects your daily life. Such side effects include:

• Dizziness and light-headedness
  • This may occur especially when you change positions from a lying to sitting position or from a sitting to standing position.  You can prevent this by getting up slowly or changing positions slowly. Take a rest by sitting or lying down if you feel dizzy.
• Headache
• Fast heartbeat and palpitations (feeling your heart beating)
• Flushing (reddening of the skin)
• Nausea
  • Take the medication with or after food
  • Take small but frequent meals and avoid fatty or spicy food

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos:
They are available in English, 中文, Melayu and தமிழ்: Drug Allergies

Rarely this medication may cause:

• Drug-induced lupus, where the patient develops symptoms similar to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The symptoms include a rash on the cheeks or other parts of the body, getting sunburnt easily, muscle or joint pain, chest pain or shortness of breath, or swelling in the arms or legs
• Liver problems. Symptoms include loss of appetite, severe nausea or vomiting, pain in the upper part of the stomach, yellowing of the skin or ‘whites’ of the eyes, dark-brown coloured urine and/or pale/clay-coloured stools

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
 

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid drinking alcohol as it may affect you more than usual and increase the side effects of the medication. 

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place below 30°C, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.