Hydralazine

Question 1

What type of drug is hydralazine?

Answer 1

antihypertensive

Question 2

What can hydralazine be used in?

Answer 2

hypertension in pregnancy and severe hypertension

Question 3

What is the mechanism of action?

Answer 3

increases cGMP leading to smooth muscle relaxation

Question 4

What are the contraindications of hydralazine?

Answer 4

• systemic lupus erythematous
• ischaemic heart disease

Question 5

What are the adverse effects of hydralazine?

Answer 5

• tachycardia
• palpitations
• flushing
• fluid retention
• headache
• drug-induced lupus