hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine Health Article

Generic name(s):

hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine

Brand name(s):

Diuretic Ap-Es, Hydrap-ES, Ser-Ap-Es, Serpazide, Tri-Hydroserpine, Uni Serp

What is the most important information I should know about hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine?

Stand up slowly from a sitting or lying position. Hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine may make you feel dizzy. Do not stop taking hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine suddenly. Even if you feel better, you need this medication to control your condition. Stopping suddenly could cause severely high blood pressure, anxiety, and other dangerous side effects. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking this medication.

What is hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine?

Hydralazine is a vasodilator. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing (widening) blood vessels (veins and arteries) and making it easier for your heart to pump.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It helps to lower your blood pressure and decrease edema (swelling or water retention) by increasing the amount of salt and water you lose in your urine.

Reserpine lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.

The combination, hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine, is used to lower high blood pressure.

Hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine?

Do not take hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine without first talking to your doctor if you

• have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics;

• have coronary heart disease or mitral valvular rheumatic heart disease;

• have peptic ulcer disease (stomach ulcers);

• have ulcerative colitis;

• are suffering from depression (especially if you have suicidal thoughts);

• are receiving electroconvulsive shock therapy; or

• have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

You may not be able to take hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have gallstones,

• have kidney or liver disease,

• have diabetes,

• have gout,

• have a collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus,

• have pancreatitis,

• have asthma,

• have any type of heart disease,

• have had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke),

• have high cholesterol or high levels of fat in your blood, or

• have pulmonary hypertension (a type of lung disease).

You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy with hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine therapy. You may require a lower dose of this medication.