Hydralazine

General

  • Type: Vasodilator
  • Dosage Forms: 10, 25, 50, 100; PO, IM, IV
  • Common Trade Names: Apresoline

Adult Dosing

  • hypertension: 10 - 50mg PO QID
  • Hypertensive crisis: 10-20mg IM/IV q2-4h

Pediatric Dosing

  • Hypertensive Crisis:
  1. 1 mo - 12 years: 0.1 - 0.5mg/kg IM/IV q4-6h, max dose of 20mg
  2. > 12 years old: 10 - 20mg IV q2-4h

Special Populations

  • Pregnancy Rating: C
  • Lactation: Probably Safe
  • Renal Dosing
    • Adult: CrCl 10-50: give q8h, CrCl <10, give q8-16h
    • Pediatric: CrCl 10-50: give q8h, CrCl <10, give q8-16h
  • Hepatic Dosing
    • Adult: not defined
    • Pediatric: not defined

Contraindications

  • Allergy to class/drug
  • mitral valvular rheumatic heart disease
  • Caution if renal impairment

Adverse Reactions

Serious

  • MI
  • neutropenia
  • lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • peripheral neuritis

Common

  • headache
  • tachycardia
  • angina
  • nausea/vomiting
  • rash

Pharmacology

  • Half-life: 3-7 hours
  • Metabolism: liver
  • Excretion: urine, feces
  • Mechanism of Action: directly dilates peripheral vessels

See Also

References