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. Rarely, hepatitis, obstructive jaundice.
Side effects are less severe when dosage is increased slowly.
Residual effects may persist for several years and long-term treatment with steroids may be necessary. Also, myocardial ischemia, cardiac arrhythmias, MI, and severe shock. If the CV status is stable, induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage followed by activated charcoal. Monitor renal function. For second and following weeks, increase to 50 mg q.i.d.