Hydralazine (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Apo-Hydral

Proper Use of This Medicine

For patients taking this medicine for high blood pressure:

• In addition to the use of the medicine your doctor has prescribed, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and care in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.
• Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.
• Remember that hydralazine will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life . If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

For patients taking the oral solution form of hydralazine :

• The oral solution may be mixed with fruit juice or applesauce. If mixed with fruit juice or applesauce, take immediately after mixing. Be sure to take all of the mixture to get the full dose of the medicine.

This medicine works best if there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep this amount constant, do not miss any doses and take the medicine at the same times each day.

Dosing-

The dose of hydralazine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of hydralazine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets or teaspoonfuls of oral solution that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (oral solution and tablets):
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults-40 to 200 milligrams (mg) per day divided into two or four doses
    • Children-Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 0.75 to 7.5 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.34 to 3.4 mg per pound) of body weight a day. This is divided into two or four doses.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults-5 to 40 mg injected into a muscle or a vein. Your doctor may repeat the dose as needed.
    • Children-Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 1.7 to 3.5 mg per kg (0.77 to 1.6 mg per pound) of body weight a day. This is divided into four to six doses and injected into a muscle or a vein.
  • For high blood pressure during pregnancy:
    • Adults-5 mg injected into a vein every fifteen to twenty minutes.

Missed dose-

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage-

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Store the oral solution form of hydralazine in the refrigerator because heat will cause this medicine to break down. However, keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Last Revised: 08/24/1998

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