Related Subjects: |Hypertension |Acute Heart Failure |Chronic Heart Failure
Slow acetylators often experience toxicity from drugs such as hydralazine which in this case would be profound hypotension
Worst blood pressure drug
Quick fix given IV slug
Long term use a drag
Painful schedule QID
ANCA, drug-induced LE Link to author
About : Always check the BNF link here
- Arterial vasodilatation with some increased heart rate
Mode of action
- Vascular smooth muscle relaxant
- Increases cGMP. Nitric oxide donor
Indications
- CCF with a nitrate, Severe Hypertension (not a first-line agent)
- Hypertension in pregnancy
Dose
- Hydralazine: 25 mg bd (up to 50 mg BD) PO
- Hydralazine: slow IV 5-10 mg stat in N-Saline
Interactions
- Hypotension with other antihypertensives
Contraindications
- Caution with IHD as can worsen angina
Side effects
- Reflex tachycardia
- Drug induced lupus-like syndrome (check ANA and urine)
- Headache, diarrhoea, dizziness
- Postural hypotension, Lupus-like syndrome