Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp

About

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is a drug that belongs to a class of medicines known as “Antihypertensives”. This drug is prescribed to patients with high blood pressure (normal blood pressure for adults is usually 120/80 mmHg.  Hypertension if left untreated can cause severe damage to the brain, heart, kidney, blood vessels, and other body organs and may have life-threatening consequences. Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is beneficial in cases of hypertensive emergency and pregnant women showing symptoms of eclampsia. 

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is chemically composed of Hydralazine, an agent that induces the widening of blood vessels through a relaxation mechanism and consequently decreases the pressure within the vessels causing high blood pressure.  Treatment with Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is generally prescribed for emergency management only then shifted to oral therapy. It starts showing clinical effects after 10-30 minutes of IM and 5-20 minutes of IV injection and must not be stopped suddenly without prior consultation with a doctor. 

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is available on prescription, as an injectable solution given in a healthcare facility. Dosage of Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp depends on age, weight, patient's response to the medicine, and comorbidities. Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is given intravenously (injection or infusion) or intramuscular injection in dosage depending upon the severity of the condition and kidney function. It is deemed appropriate to switch to oral form as soon as possible. 

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp has been in use to manage hypertension in pregnant females however some safety concerns are still present. Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp may carry a safety risk in children, your doctor will only prescribe this drug during pregnancy if considered necessary for emergency management and breastfeeding. The most common side effects observed with Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp include pain at the injection site, low blood pressure, palpitations, flushing, dizziness, and skin rash. 

Indications

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is prescribed for the management of :

• Essential Hypertension

• Hypertensive crisis 

• Hypertensive crisis associated with pregnancy 

• Severe hypertension in kidney disease

How Does Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp Work

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is chemically composed of Hydralazine, which helps bring down blood pressure. Several working mechanisms have been suggested but the exact one is still uncertain. Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is thought to exert relaxing effects on the musculature of blood vessels. Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp cause the tone of vessels to decrease, widen and be in a relaxed state. It also decreases the oxygen requirement needed by the heart muscle. The overall effect manifests in a decrease in high blood pressure and heart rate.  

How To Use {{Product}}

It is given as an intramuscular injection or injected into the veins by a healthcare professional, in dosage as prescribed by your doctor. Dosage is completely dependent on the weight, age, severity of the condition, patient's response to the medicine, and comorbidities. Your doctor may vary your dosage accordingly. A new, sterile syringe must always be used and properly discarded following universal protocol for sharps disposal. Always start by cleaning your hands and the area to be injected. Carefully first check the glass vial to rule out any particulate matter in the solution. Any remaining solution should be discarded. For ease of use, break the ampoule at the neck of the container marked with dotted lines.

IV hydralazine is administered in a healthcare facility as a quick injection or a slow infusion via a maintained IV line while monitoring the patient’s vitals. It can also be diluted with other injectable solutions matching the compatibility with Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp. make sure not to give more than the required dose when giving an injection. Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is not considered safe for use in children due to insufficient scientific data available but may be required in some emergencies. It stays in the blood for a brief period, hence multiple doses are taken during the day. When the injectable form is started, it is important to shift the patient to the oral form as soon as possible. 

Available Potency and form of Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp 

Ampoule  - 20 mg/ 1ml

Dosage

Adult Dosage

Hypertensive Crisis

An intramuscular or intravenous injection of 10 to 40 mg or as per need

The doses can be repeated as per need, usually every 4 to 6 hours

Maximum Initial dose: Do not give more than 20 mg per dose

Pregnancy-associated Hypertensive Crisis

Starting Dose: 5 to 10 mg given as an intramuscular or intravenous injection, repeat the dose every 20 to 30 minutes if required

Alternatively, a slow IV infusion of 0.5 to 10 mg/hr 

Essential Hypertension

An intramuscular or intravenous injection of 20 to 40 mg 

repeat as necessary 

Dose adjustment: Switch to oral form as soon as possible

Child dosage

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is not prescribed to children due to insufficient scientific evidence regarding safety

In cases where it may be prescribed like heart failure and afterload reduction, IM and IV forms can be administered in prescribed doses in a hospital setting

Essential Hypertension

An intramuscular or intravenous injection of 1.7- 3.5 mg/kg/day in divided doses 4 - 6 times or as per need.

Afterload Reduction/ Heart failure 

Infants: An intravenous injection of 0.1 - 0.5 mg/kg/dose, every 6 to 8 hours

Maximum Dose: Do not give more than 2 mg/kg per dose

Children and adolescents: An intravenous injection of 0.15-0.2 mg/kg/dose, every 4 to 6 hours

Maximum Dose: Do not give more than 20 mg per dose

Elderly Dosage

Dosage in the elderly population is dependent on several factors. Caution is advised with regards to long-standing heart and liver conditions, as well as other co-morbidities. Always consult a physician first. 

Pregnancy Use And Lactation

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is categorized as FDA pregnancy category C which means it should not be taken during pregnancy due to potentially harmful effects on unborn babies. Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning to conceive a baby, please discuss Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp with your doctor before using it. 

If you are breastfeeding an infant ask your doctor first, for some amount of medicine is secreted into the breast milk. With regards to safety please make sure to consult your doctor first before using it. 

Contraindications

Please tell your doctor if you have a history of any of the following before using Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp:

• Hypersensitivity to Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp  or similar drugs 

• Systemic Lupus erythematosus 

• Cor- pulmonale 

• Severe tachycardia 

• Thyrotoxicosis 

• Porphyria 

• Chronic heart condition (myocardial insufficiency)

• Bradycardia

Precautions‌ ‌

Please‌ ‌tell‌ ‌your‌ ‌doctor‌ ‌about‌ ‌any‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌following‌ ‌conditions‌ before starting or during the treatment with ‌Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp:‌ 

• If there is a history of allergy to medicines or products. Carefully read the contents of this product to avoid any future inconvenience 

• Adequacy of liver and kidney functions must be ensured

• Patients with a chronic history of heart diseases such as a history of a heart attack in the last 3 months (see contraindications) must take this medicine strictly under a doctor’s supervision

• Care must be exercised if you have a history of stroke or cerebrovascular disease 

• Patients whose bodies process the medicines slowly should be monitored carefully. Dose adjustment may be required  

• History of coronary artery disease (CAD) (obstructed vessel/vessels)

• Regular monitoring of blood pressure is advised at home

• Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp may be given in combination with other drugs, do not miss out on other medicines

• Taking Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp with meals can raise plasma levels. Preferably Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp should be taken with a glass of water

• Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp when taken with other antihypertensives can cause a drop in blood pressure. Caution is advised 

• Caution is advised when taking Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp with analgesics or NSAIDs due to possible interactions. Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol may be taken

• Sodium-restricted diet along with other lifestyle changes will help you with the condition

Interaction With Other Medicines

Certain medications could interact with Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp and may increase or decrease its absorption, in which case, your doctor might alter your dosage. A few of these interacting drugs are given below:

• Antidepressants like MAO Inhibitors (isocarboxazid)

• ACE inhibitors like enalapril

• Linezolid 

• Metaxalone

• Methylene blue 

• moclobemide

• Phenelzine

• Procarbazine

• Rasagiline

• Safinamide

• Selegiline

• Tranylcyclopomine

• Alcohol 

• Atrovastatin/ Rosuvastatin 

• Metoprolol 

• Aspirin 

• Levodopa 

• Tranquilizers like haloperidol

• Diazoxide  

• Epinephrine 

• Anesthetics 

• NSAIDs like ibuprofen, indomethacin 

• Estrogen 

Adverse Effects

  Common Side Effects

• Soreness at the injection site

• Nausea 

• Diarrhea 

• Headache

• Hypotension 

• Palpitations 

• Chest pain/ chest tightness 

• Flushing  

• Pounding of heart 

• Lightheadedness 

• Skin rash/itching 

Less Common Side Effects

• Anaphylactic reaction

• Jaw pain 

• Visual disturbances 

• Mood changes 

• Peripheral edema 

• Peripheral neuropathy 

• Dysuria 

• Breathing difficulty 

• Thrombocytopenia 

• SLE like symptoms 

• Arthralgia / joint pains

• Agranulocytosis

• Liver toxicity 

• Loss of appetite 

 How To Cope-Up With Some Adverse Effects

• Soreness at the site of injection- a cold compress can be used for 5 minutes to ease out the soreness.

• Allergic Reactions - Allergic reactions to the drug may be mild to severe or potentially could be life-threatening. If allergy is suspected immediately take anti-allergy (antihistamine) medicine which will stop the mild reaction. If a serious allergic reaction is suspected, rush to the nearby hospital and avoid Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp and drugs with similar compounds in the future.

• Headaches - In which case make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid the use of alcohol. Take a prescribed painkiller. Consult your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe

• Constipation - Can be combated by adding more fibers to the patient’s diet, asking the patient to drink plenty of fluids, and increasing their physical activity to trigger contractions in the intestines.

• Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) or diarrhea - Avoid eating rich or spicy food. It might help to take medication after food. If you're sick, try drinking small, frequent sips of water. 

• Feeling dizzy (lightheaded) or weak - If the medication makes you feel dizzy or weak, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better, and do not rise too fast or immediately from a sitting or lying down position to a standing posture. Do not drive or use tools or machinery in case of any of these effects.

• Blurred vision - This side effect tends to go away on its own if a few days; patients are advised not to operate heavy machinery or drive any motorized vehicles in the meantime.If blurred vision persists, please contact your doctor.

• Muscular Aches And Pains - A hot or cold compress can be placed at the area of discomfort to bring relief; an over-the-counter pain reliever such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be ingested to bring ease as well. Avoid high-intensity exercise while suffering from muscular pain.

• Skin Rash - Can be eased by applying soothing and healing lotions or creams such as calamine lotion/cream. Apply a cold compress to the rash helps reduce itchiness and redness caused by the rash. An antihistamine (prescribed by a doctor) is also recommended as an effective way to combat any skin rash.

FAQ's

#1. CAN LIFESTYLE CHANGES HELP ME WITH MY CONDITION?

Yes, you can adopt specific healthy lifestyle changes to help with high blood pressure. These include quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol, eating a wholesome diet consisting of fresh vegetables and fruits with the cut down on salt, and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.

#2. WHAT EXACTLY DOES Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp DO?

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp controls the tone of the blood vessel by relaxing the walls, causing the pressure within to drop. It also decreases the oxygen requirement needed by the heart muscle. The overall effect manifests in a decrease in high blood pressure and heart rate. 

#3. WHAT IF I TAKE TOO MUCH OF Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp?

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is administered by a healthcare professional in a hospital in IV or IM form so it is unlikely to overdose unless mismanaged. At home if you take oral tablets by yourself and if you have accidentally taken an extra amount, contact your doctor immediately. 

#4. HOW TO STORE Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp?

Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp is to be kept away from the reach of children, in a cool dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and humidity as that tends to ruin certain drugs. Store below 25 °C.

#5. CAN I CONSUME ALCOHOL WITH Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp?

Alcohol is also known to lower your blood pressure which if taken with the medication may lead to extreme dizziness. Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp also interacts with alcohol so it is best to avoid the intake of alcohol during your treatment.

#6. WHAT IF I FORGET TO TAKE THE Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp?

It is advised that the drug is taken at the same time each day, and an alarm can be placed to remind patients to take Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp at the proper time. If the patient misses a dose of Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp, they should take it immediately but if the time for the next dose of the drug is near then it is beneficial for patients to skip the missed dose and take the tablets as per schedule, doubling of doses has proven to cause severe side effects. 

#7. CAN Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp CAUSE DIZZINESS? IF SO, HOW SHOULD I MANAGE IT?

Yes. It can cause dizziness as one of the most common side effects. If this happens, you should sit or lie down until the symptoms pass. However, please note this is temporary and usually goes away as the treatment continues. It is also advised to avoid the consumption of alcohol during your treatment, as it may worsen the dizziness.

#8. CAN I DRIVE AFTER TAKING THIS MEDICATION?

This medication is known to make you dizzy hence if that happens kindly avoid driving or operating any heavy machinery.

#9. IS Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp SAFE TO GIVE TO ELDERLY PATIENTS?

Although there are no particular guidelines, for elderly patients the dosage of the drug may be lower than normal due to decreased kidney and liver function. Discuss with your doctor.

#10. CAN Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp INTERFERE WITH FERTILITY?

There is no evidence to support the above statement. If a patient does become pregnant it is imperative that they inform their doctor immediately as Hydralazine 20mg/ml Injection 1 amp can have fatal effects on the developing fetus.