Brand Names: Apresoline

Generic Name: hydralazine (Pronunciation: hye DRAL a zeen)

• What is hydralazine (Apresoline)?
• What are the possible side effects of hydralazine (Apresoline)?
• What is the most important information I should know about hydralazine (Apresoline)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydralazine (Apresoline)?
• How should I take hydralazine (Apresoline)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Apresoline)?
• What happens if I overdose (Apresoline)?
• What should I avoid while taking hydralazine (Apresoline)?
• What other drugs will affect hydralazine (Apresoline)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is hydralazine (Apresoline)?

Hydralazine is a vasodilator that works by relaxing the muscles in your blood vessels to help them dilate (widen). This lowers blood pressure and allows blood to flow more easily through your veins and arteries.

Hydralazine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydralazine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Hydralazine 10 mg-IVA

round, orange, imprinted with PLIVA 398

HydrALAZINE 10 mg-PAR

round, pink, imprinted with par 029

Hydralazine 10 mg-SID

round, orange, imprinted with SL 398

HydrALAZINE 100 mg-PAR

round, peach, imprinted with par 121

Hydralazine 25 mg-IVA

round, orange, imprinted with PLIVA 327

Hydralazine 25 mg-SID

round, orange, imprinted with SL 327

Hydralazine 50 mg-IVA

round, orange, imprinted with PLIVA 328

HydrALAZINE 50 mg-PAR

round, peach, imprinted with par 028

Hydralazine 50 mg-SID

round, orange, imprinted with SL 328

What are the possible side effects of hydralazine (Apresoline)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• swelling in your face, stomach, hands, or feet;
• numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• pale skin, easy bruising;
• painful or difficult urination;
• dark-colored urine;
• urinating less than usual or not at all; or
• joint pain or swelling with fever, chest pain, weakness or tired feeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• headache;
• dizziness;
• anxiety;
• muscle or joint pain;
• runny or stuffy nose; or
• mild itching or skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Apresoline (hydralazine) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about hydralazine (Apresoline)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydralazine, or if you have coronary artery disease, or rheumatic heart disease affecting the mitral valve.

Before taking hydralazine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, lupus, angina pectoris (chest pain), or if you have ever had a stroke.

While taking hydralazine, avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as fast or pounding heartbeats, swelling, numbness or tingling, dark-colored urine, joint pain or swelling with fever, chest pain, weakness or tired feeling, and urinating less than usual or not at all.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You may also need occasional blood tests. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Keep using hydralazine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.