What Is Hydralazine
What Is Hydralazine
What Is Hydralazine
HYDRALAZINE; ISOSORBIDE DINITRATE, ISDN (BiDil) is a combination of two drugs used to treat heart failure in patients self-identified as black. Hydralazine; isosorbide dinitrate works by relaxing blood vessels, increasing the blood oxygen supply to your heart. Heart failure happens when the heart muscles are too weak to pump enough blood through out the body. This medicine is not a cure for heart failure, however it is important that you take this medication regularly.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions: anemia blood vessel disease chest pain glaucoma heart disease or history of heart attacks kidney disease liver disease low blood pressure overactive thyroid recent head injury, stroke, or bleeding in the brain system lupus erythematosus (SLE) an unusual reaction to hydralazine, isosorbide dinitrate, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives pregnant or trying to get pregnant breast-feeding
Do not take hydralazine; isosorbide dinitrate with any of the following: sildenafil (Viagra) tadalafil (Cialis) vardenafil (Levitra) Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), or Levitra (vardenafil) should not be taken with this medication to avoid severe side effects including very low blood pressure and other complications. This medicine may also interact with the following medications: alcohol antiinflammatory rugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen) female hormones including contraceptive or birth control pills hawthorn, crataegus laevigata medicine for high blood pressure medicines for colds and breathing difficulties medicines for Parkinson's disease containing Levodopa, such as Atamet, Parcopa, Sinemet and Sinemet CR, Stalevo, and Larodopa monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Azilect, Eldepryl, Emsam, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate, Zelapar) nitroglycerin water pills weight loss medication containing Ephedra, Ma Huang zalcitabine, ddC Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking Hydralazine; Isosorbide Dinitrate, ISDN?
Check your heart rate and blood pressure regularly while you are taking hydralazine; isosorbide dinitrate. Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your heart rate and blood pressure should be and when you should contact him or her. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you feel your medicine is no longer having any effect. You may get dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how isosorbide dinitrate affects you. To reduce the risk os dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, and increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks. Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, headache, or pain while you are receiving hydralazine, without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
What side effects may I notice from receiving Hydralazine; Isosorbide Dinitrate, ISDN?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: bluish discoloration of lips, fingernails, or palms of hands chest pain or irregular heart beat (palpitations) difficulty urinating dizziness or fainting excessive sweating feeling of extreme pressure in the head fever, chills, sore throat, muscle cramps low blood pressure numbness, pain, and tingling in the hands and feet shortness of breath skin rash including welts around the lips and mouth sudden weight gain swelling of the legs or feet unusual tiredness or weakness Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): flushing of the face or neck headache lightheadedness, especially when changing from a seated or lying position nasal congestion nausea, vomiting, or upset stomach
PCI may include one or more of the following treatments: Balloon catheter angioplasty: During this procedure, the cardiologist inserts a cardiac catheter with a small balloon around it into the coronary artery. The cardiologist then places the balloon in the narrowed area of the artery and expands it with liquid. This pushes the plaque (blockage) to the sides of the artery where it remains. This technique reduces the narrowing in the artery and restores the normal size of the artery. The cardiologist removes the balloon catheter at the end of the procedure. Stent: The cardiologist places a small, hollow metal (mesh) tube called a "stent" in the artery to keep it open following a balloon angioplasty. The stent prevents constriction or closing of the artery during and after the procedure. Drug-eluting stents are now used. These stents are coated with medication that helps prevent narrowing of the artery.