Patient leaflet - Hydralazine tablets 25 mg
1. What Hydralazine is and what it is used for
Hydralazine belongs to a group of medicines called antihypertensives.
Hydralazine can be used along with other medicines:
- to reduce high blood pressure (hypertension)
to treat moderate and serious heart failure.
Anti-hypertensives work by lowering blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart and arteries (blood vessels) and if left untreated, can lead to damage of the blood vessels of the brain, heart and kidneys.
if there is a family history of the rare condition
porphyria.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Hydralazine:
- if you have liver or kidney problems.
if you suffer from hardened arteries (coronary artery
disease), chest pain (angina) or are at risk of having a stroke.
- if you are recovering from a heart attack.
- if you need surgery.
Other medicines and Hydralazine
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines including medicines obtained without a prescription, herbal medicines or any of the following:
other antihypertensives including medicines used
to widen the blood vessels such as diazoxide or nitrates,
beta-blockers (e.g. propranolol), ACE inhibitors (e.g. captopril), “water” tablets (diuretics e.g. furosemide) and medicines known as “calcium channel blockers” (e.g. verapamil)
medicines used to treat depression e.g. tricyclic
antidepressants such as dosulepin, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine or to treat a mental illness (e.g. Chlorpromazine)
medicines used to treat anxiety such as tranquillisers
(e.g. diazepam)
anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) e.g.
indometacin
- corticosteroids e.g. prednisolone
medicines which slow down the nervous system (CNS
depressants)
- carbenoxolone, used to treat stomach ulcers
- anaesthetics
medicines containing oestrogens e.g. HRT, or the
combined oral contraceptive pill.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Hydralazine with food and drink and alcohol
Taking Hydralazine with food may decrease the amount of the medicine in your system, therefore, take it before
food. Alcohol may increase the effects of hydralazine causing side effects such as dizziness.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Hydralazine should only be used in the last few months of pregnancy
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
2. What you need to know before you take Hydralazine
Do not take Hydralazine:
if you are allergic to hydralazine hydrochloride or
dihydralazine, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
if you suffer from the condition systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE) or a related disease
- if you suffer from an unusually fast heartbeat
if you have heart failure, heart valve problems (aortic
or mitral stenosis) or inflammation of the heart (constrictive pericarditis)
if you have an aortic aneurysm (swelling in the wall of
the aorta which can cause sweating, a fast heartbeat, and abdominal or back pain)
if you have an enlarged heart often caused by lung
disease (cor pulmonale)
3. How to take Hydralazine
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. If you are taking Hydralazine for a long time, your doctor may wish to test your urine and blood every six months. Your doctor will start you on a low dose of Hydralazine and gradually increase the dose depending on your condition.
The recommended dose is:
Adults
Hypertension
The recommended starting dose is 25 mg of Hydralazine twice a day, increasing to a maximum total dose of 200 mg of Hydralazine a day.
Heart failure
Treatment is started in hospital with a dose of 25 mg of Hydralazine three or four times a day; if necessary, increasing to 50-75 mg of Hydralazine four times a day. A small group of patients can break down hydralazine in their body at a different rate to the majority of patients. This can lead to unwanted effects. Your doctor will check for this possibility, and if this occurs, will change
your dose of Hydralazine as needed. You should carry on taking your medicine as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you to, even if you feel better. Use in children and adolescents
Hydralazine should not be given to children or adolescents.
Method of administration
Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.
If you take more Hydralazine than you should
The signs and symptoms of hydralazine overdose include low blood pressure, a racing heartbeat, headache and generalised skin flushing. If you take more Hydralazine than you should contact your doctor or hospital emergency department immediately.
If you forget to take Hydralazine
If you forget to take a dose of Hydralazine, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your
next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Hydralazine
Do not stop taking Hydralazine without talking to your doctor, even if you feel better, because it may make your illness worse.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Driving and using machines
Do not drive or use machines if you suffer from headaches, dizziness or have difficulty concentrating while taking this medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Hydralazine contains sodium
Hydralazine 25 mg and 50 mg tablets contain less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say they are essentially ‘sodium-free’.
Hydralazine contains lactose
The 50 mg strength tablets contain lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, such as lactose, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Hydralazine contains Sunset yellow (E110)
The 50 mg tablets also contain the colouring Sunset yellow (E110) which may cause allergic reactions in some people.
allergic reactions such as itchy red and swollen skin,
red skin rash on cheeks and other parts of the body, skin rashes which may be severe
signs of reduced numbers of different blood cells,
which may cause unusual bruising or bleeding of the skin (reduced number of platelets), frequent infections, fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers (reduced number of white blood cells)
liver problems, which can cause yellowing of the skin
or whites of the eyes, dark urine and pale stools
- blood in the urine (the urine may look red or pink) Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
illness resulting from the destruction of red blood
cells with signs such as looking pale, feeling tired, breathlessness, yellowing of the skin and/or eyes
a reduction in all types of blood cells, which may cause
frequent infections, unusual bruising or bleeding of the skin or you to feel tired and breathless
changes in how much you urinate, difficulty or pain
when passing urine, lower back pain, fever, nausea and vomiting – these may be signs of kidney problems
severe pain in the stomach with bloating, cramps
constipation and vomiting
protruding eyes
Other possible side effects
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- headache
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- low blood pressure
- muscle or joint pain
- swelling of the joints
- feeling or being sick
- diarrhoea, upset stomach
- chest pain
- flushing
- dizziness
- blocked nose
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
protein in the urine which would be seen in a urine test
increased levels of creatinine in the blood which would
be seen in a blood test
- loss of appetite, weight loss
- feeling generally unwell
- feeling anxious or agitated
itchy, red, infected eyes (conjunctivitis), watery or
swollen eyes.
abdominal swelling caused by enlarged liver or fluid
retention in the body
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Hydralazine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If any of the following happen, stop taking this medicine and see your
doctor straight away or go to the nearest hospital immediately.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or a related disease
with signs such as joint pain (similar to rheumatoid arthritis), fever, change in blood count and skin rash Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
swelling of the hands and lower legs, breathlessness,
tightness of the chest, sharp chest pain, which is worse when breathing in, feeling dizzy
abnormal swelling of the spleen (splenomegaly). You
may notice signs such as being unable to eat a large meal, feeling discomfort, fullness, or pain on the upper left side of the abdomen; this pain may spread to your left shoulder Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard, or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Hydralazine
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label or container after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Hydralazine contains
The active substance is hydralazine hydrochloride. Each 25 mg tablet contains 25 mg of hydralazine hydrochloride.
Each 50 mg tablet contains 50 mg of hydralazine hydrochloride.
The other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinised maize starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, sodium starch glycolate (in 50 mg strength only), disodium edetate, talc and magnesium stearate. The coating for the 25 mg strength tablets contains diethyl phthalate, hydroxypropylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carnauba wax, red iron oxide (E172),’ hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171) and Quinoline yellow (E104).
The coating for the 50 mg strength tablets contains titanium dioxide (E171), lactose (see section 2 “Hydralazine contains lactose”), hypromellose, macrogol, indigo carmine (E132), sunset yellow (E110) (see section 2 “Hydralazine contains sunset yellow (E110)”) iron oxide yellow (E172) and erythrosine (E127).
swelling of blood vessels. Signs include fever, general
aches and pain, loss of appetite, weight loss and tiredness
pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin, also called hives or
nettle rash
increase in some white blood cells which may be seen
in a blood test
decrease in some red blood cells which may be seen in
a blood test
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
- an increase in blood pressure
inflammation of the nerves, which may cause tingling
or numbness especially in the hands, arms, feet or legs
- painful swelling in the arms or legs
- swollen (lymph) glands in the armpits, neck or groins
- feeling depressed
seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not there
(hallucinations)
Manufacturers
Mylan Hungary Kft., Mylan utca 1., Komárom, 2900, Hungary
This leaflet was last revised in 06/2026.
What Hydralazine looks like and contents of the pack
25 mg tablets are yellow film coated tablet marked “HE 25” on one side and “G” on the
reverse.
50 mg tablets are pink film coated tablets marked “HE 50” on one side and “G” on the reverse.
Hydralazine Tablets 25 mg and 50 mg are available in glass or plastic containers and blisters of 5, 7, 10, 14, 15, 20,
21, 25, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 84, 90, 100, 112, 120, 168, 180, 250 and 500 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Viatris,
Station Close, Potters Bar, EN6 1TL, United Kingdom.
Hydralazine 25 mg film-coated tablets
25 mg
56 film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains: 25 mg hydralazine hydrochloride. Dosage: Oral use. Read the package leaflet before use. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from light
Viatris, Station Close, Potters Bar, EN6 1TL, United Kingdom.
PL 04569/0050 UK Only
POM
Hydralazine 25 mg film-coated tablets
56 film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains: 25 mg hydralazine hydrochloride.
Dosage: Oral use. Read the package leaflet before use. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from light
Viatris,
Station Close, Potters Bar, EN6 1TL, United Kingdom. PL 04569/0050 UK Only
POM
25 mg
Hydralazine 25 mg film-coated tablets
56 film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains: 25 mg hydralazine hydrochloride.
Dosage: Oral use. Read the package leaflet before use. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from light
Viatris,
Station Close, Potters Bar, EN6 1TL, United Kingdom. PL 04569/0050 UK Only
POM
25 mg
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