This article describes possible side effects of hydralazine oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for hydralazine. You can explore this overview article to learn more about hydralazine oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Hydralazine oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Hydralazine also comes in an injectable form, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.
More common side effects of hydralazine
Hydralazine oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of hydralazine oral tablet include:
- diarrhea
- headache
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
Mild side effects of hydralazine
Hydralazine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of hydralazine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- headache
- muscle cramps
- nasal congestion
- nausea
- tremors
- vomiting
- watery eyes
- mild allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of hydralazine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with hydralazine oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Hydralazine oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of hydralazine
Hydralazine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from hydralazine oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with hydralazine.
Serious side effects of hydralazine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- irregular levels of certain blood cells*
- loss of appetite
- chest pain
- swelling in the arms or legs due to fluid buildup
- fast heart rate
- heart palpitations (fluttering feeling or feeling skipped heartbeats)
- low blood pressure
- mental health changes, such as anxiety, depression, or confusion
- nerve problems*
- symptoms that are like those from the autoimmune disorder lupus*
- trouble breathing
- trouble urinating
- severe constipation
- severe allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of hydralazine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with hydralazine oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Common questions about side effects of hydralazine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of hydralazine oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do side effects of hydralazine usually last?
Side effects of hydralazine oral tablet are usually temporary. Most of the time, they don’t last very long and will go away as your body adjusts to the medication.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Will hydralazine 25 mg cause fewer side effects than hydralazine 50 mg?
It’s possible. The maker of the drug reports that hydralazine’s side effects are less likely at lower dosages. So hydralazine 24 milligrams (mg) may cause fewer side effects than hydralazine 50 mg. But don’t change your dose without talking with your doctor first.
If you have bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out what you can do about them.
Does hydralazine cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, hydralazine oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. They can also last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with hydralazine oral tablet include:
- irregular levels of certain blood cells*
- symptoms that are like those from the autoimmune disorder lupus*
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of hydralazine may last.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of hydralazine in detail” section below.
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Side effects of hydralazine in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of hydralazine oral tablet.
Irregular levels of certain blood cells
In studies, irregular levels of certain blood cells were reported in people taking hydralazine oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
With irregular levels of certain blood cells, you have changes in blood cell counts. These changes include:
- low red blood cell count
- low hemoglobin level (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen)
- low or severely low white blood cell count
Symptoms may include fatigue (low energy), shortness of breath, feeling cold, or frequent infections.
Ways to manage
Your doctor will likely check your blood cell counts before you start hydralazine. They’ll also check them from time to time during prolonged treatment with hydralazine, even if you don’t have symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping hydralazine oral tablet. Do not stop taking hydralazine oral tablet without talking with your doctor first.
Nerve problems
In studies, nerve problems were reported in people taking hydralazine oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
With nerve problems, you have inflammation of some of the nerves in your body. Symptoms may include unusual sensations such as:
- burning
- numbness
- prickling
- tingling
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of nerve problems, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend taking vitamin B6 or a B vitamin complex.
Symptoms of lupus
In studies, symptoms of lupus were reported in people taking hydralazine oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. Symptoms of lupus may include:
- blood in the urine
- fever
- joint pain or swelling
- muscle pain
- rash on the face
- swelling in the arms, legs, or abdomen due to fluid buildup
- urinating more than usual
Ways to manage
If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping hydralazine oral tablet. Do not stop taking hydralazine oral tablet without talking with your doctor first.
In most cases, these symptoms get better when you stop the drug. But it’s possible to still notice them years later.
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For some people, hydralazine oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
But it’s not clear how often this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to hydralazine oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for hydralazine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking hydralazine oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take hydralazine oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether hydralazine oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking hydralazine oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- coronary artery disease
- heart valve disease
- kidney disease
- past stroke
- past allergic reaction to hydralazine
Hydralazine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether hydralazine oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Hydralazine and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether hydralazine oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Hydralazine and alcohol
Hydralazine oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
But alcohol can cause some of the same side effects as hydralazine oral tablet. These include dizziness, flushing, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Drinking alcohol while taking hydralazine oral tablet can make these side effects worse.
Alcohol can also lower your blood pressure like hydralazine oral tablet does. Drinking alcohol while taking hydralazine may make your blood pressure too low.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with hydralazine oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of hydralazine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
- If I have problems with side effects, will I need a lower dose?
- How do the side effects of hydralazine oral tablet compare with other drugs that could treat my condition?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.