Medicine & USMLE

Hydralazine

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Cardiovascular Drugs
  1. Beta Blockers
  2. ACE Inhibitors
  3. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
  4. Adenosine
  5. Atropine
  6. Amiodarone
  7. DHP Calcium Channel Blockers
  8. Non-DHP Calcium Channel Blockers
  9. Clonidine
  10. Clopidogrel
  11. Digoxin
  12. Dopamine
  13. Epinephrine
  14. Hydralazine
  15. Nitroglycerin
  16. Norepinephrine
  17. Statins

Summary

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Key Points

  • Mechanism
    • Vasodilator
      • Relaxes the blood vessels, allowing for vasodilation and thus lowering the blood pressure
    • Clinical Use
      • Severe hypertension, acute onset
        • Hypertension with preeclampsia
        • Hypertensive crisis
      • Heart failure
        • Used in combination with a nitrate
    • Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
      • Hypotension
        • Reflex tachycardia
          • Often given in conjunction with beta blockers to prevent against reflex tachycardia
          • Can commonly lead to palpitations
          • Heart rate and blood pressure should be monitored before every administration
        • Dizziness
      • Hepatotoxicity
      • Headache
      • GI distress
        • Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia
        • GI bleeding