Hydralazine vs Nifedipine
 | Hydralazine |  | Nifedipine |  |
| Hydralazine is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Hydralazine is called a vasodilator. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow through the body more easily. OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. Hydralazine may also be used with other medications to treat heart failure. | This medication is used to prevent certain types of chest pain (angina). It may allow you to exercise more and decrease the frequency of angina attacks. Nifedipine belongs to a class of medications known as calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. This medication must be taken regularly to be effective. It should not be used to treat attacks of chest pain when they occur. Use other medications (such as sublingual nitroglycerin) to relieve attacks of chest pain as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This medication may also be used to treat a certain blood circulation disorder (Raynaud's syndrome). | |||
Alternatives
Reviews
| Add Hydralazine review I am in my late 60s and on no other medications. BP systolic reading as high as 175. I took 1/2 tab twice a day - each tab was 50 mg. I stopped taking this drug after 2 days due to the following reactions: I was nauseous and felt like I was going to throw up; could not think straight; brain fog; fatigue; pressure on the eyes and whole head; heat flushing in face and neck; stuffy and runny nose; muscle twitching above left knee about 4 times a day (for several minutes); loose bowels and heavy urine flow. None of these symptoms were present before taking this drug. Decrease in systolic BP was 20 points. As a summary statement, I felt like I had been poisoned. I was able to bring down my systolic reading by 25-30 points by drinking 12 oz. of aloe vera juice a day (4 oz. 3X a day) and drinking hibiscus tea (a natural diuretic) as my only liquid during the day (16 oz. or more). Though my BP is still high, I will look for other natural methods to lower my BP. It makes me very dizzy, hope it will go away the longer I take it. This medicine is great for lowering blood pressure. Hope I can keep taking it. The headaches that were caused by this medication were unbearable!!! Could not function for about 4-5 hours after taking it. Quit taking after about 2 weeks. Did not lower my BP. | Add Nifedipine review This med gave me mood swings and felt tired and very depressed. Did lower BP somewhat in conjunction with other BP meds. Stopped it for 3 days and now not so tired and depressed. Caused mental changes. Going to see my Doctor soon about it. The very first time I took it I had a major allergic reaction including a blinding migraine and swelling of my face, hands, and feet. Blood pressure dropped to within normal range but I cannot stand the headaches. They get to be near migraine intensity. | |||
