Apresoline

Apresoline is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure. Apresoline belongs to a group of drugs called peripheral vasodilator. Apresoline works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken usually 4 times a day with food.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into the vein (IV) and/ or the muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of Apresoline include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

*Brand name Apresoline is no longer available. Generic versions are made available by several manufacturers.

Apresoline is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your weight
• your height
• your age

The recommended dose range of oral Apresoline (hydralazine) for the treatment of hypertension is 10 mg - 50 mg.

The recommended dose range of Apresoline (hydralazine) injection for the treatment of hypertension is 20-40 mg and can be repeated as necessary.

Serious side effects have been reported with Apresoline including the following:

• Neurologic. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms:
  • numbness and tingling
  • muscle pain
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
  • fainting
  • unexplained fever
  • rapid heartbeat
  • chest pain
  • swollen ankles or feet

Apresoline can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Apresoline affects you.

Do not take Apresoline if you:

• are allergic to Apresoline or to any of its ingredients
• coronary artery disease
• mitral valvular rheumatic heart disease

Serious side effects have been reported with Apresoline. See the “Apresoline Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Apresoline include the following:

• headache
• anorexia
• nausea/vomiting
• diarrhea
• palpitations
• tachycardia
• angina pectoris

This is not a complete list of Apresoline side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• MAO inhibitors such as tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar), isocarboxazid (Marplan), and rasagiline (Azilect)
• Other potent parenteral antihypertensive drugs, such as diazoxide (Proglycem)

This is not a complete list of Apresoline drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Apresoline falls into category C. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Apresoline should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Apresoline crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Apresoline.

Take hydralazine with meals or a snack.

Your doctor may prescribe a low-salt or low-sodium diet. Follow these directions carefully.

Hydralazine controls high blood pressure but does not cure it.

Continue to take hydralazine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking hydralazine without talking to your doctor.

Hydralazine can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how hydralazine affects you.