Also alters cellular calcium metabolism that interferes with calcium movement within the vascular smooth muscle responsible for initiating or maintaining contraction. Increases renin activity in the kidney, leading to an increase in angiotensin II, which then causes stimulation of aldosterone and thus sodium reabsorption. Rapidly absorbed after PO use.
Food increases bioavailability of the drug.
In combination with other drugs for essential hypertension. Hydralazine is the drug of choice for eclampsia. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children. Headache, dizziness, psychoses, tremors, depression, anxiety, disorientation. Rash, urticaria, fever, chills, arthralgia, pruritus, eosinophilia.