hydralazine
Noun: * A direct-acting vasodilator drug used primarily to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It works by relaxing and widening blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and lowering blood pressure. It is often used in combination with other medications, such as diuretics.
Hydralazine is a prescription medication. It is typically used when other first-line blood pressure medications are not suitable or sufficient. * Example: "The doctor prescribed hydralazine to help manage her severe hypertension." * Example: "Hydralazine is frequently combined with a nitrate and a beta-blocker in a specific treatment regimen for heart failure."
- Combination Therapy: In clinical practice, hydralazine is commonly used as part of a multi-drug regimen. A well-known combination is with isosorbide dinitrate for the treatment of heart failure in specific patient populations.
- Example: "The hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate combination has been shown to improve outcomes in African American patients with heart failure."
- Parenteral Administration: In emergency settings, hydralazine can be administered intravenously or intramuscularly for the rapid control of acute hypertensive crises.
- Example: "Intravenous hydralazine was administered in the emergency room to quickly lower the patient's dangerously high blood pressure."
- Apresoline: A former common brand name for hydralazine.
- Vasodilator: The general class of drugs to which hydralazine belongs. Vasodilators cause the widening of blood vessels.
- Antihypertensive: The general class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. Hydralazine is one type of antihypertensive agent.
- Direct vasodilator
- Antihypertensive agent (specific type)
While the core meaning is a specific drug, its usage context defines its application: 1. Primary Meaning: A medication for treating hypertension. 2. Specific Therapeutic Context: A drug used in specific protocols for congestive heart failure, particularly in combination therapy.
- an antihypertensive drug (trade name Apresoline) that dilates blood vessels; used (often with a diuretic) to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure