HYDRALAZINE

Course overview

HYDRALAZINE IS A DIRECT VASODILATOR USED ORALLY TO TREAT ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION, AMONG OTHER DISEASES, AND INTRAVENOUSLY TO RAPIDLY REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE IN HYPERTENSIVE URGENCY OR EMERGENCY. PER JNC 8 GUIDELINES, IT IS NOT A FIRST-LINE AGENT FOR THE TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION. THIS IS DUE TO HYDRALAZINE’S STIMULATION OF THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, AMONG SEVERAL OTHER ADVERSE EFFECTS THAT MAKE THE CURRENT NEWER FIRST-LINE AGENTS MORE EFFICACIOUS. THIS ACTIVITY OUTLINES THE INDICATIONS, MECHANISM OF ACTION, ADMINISTRATION, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF HYDRALAZINE.