Hydralazine

Key points

• Older antihypertensive; still used in hypertension in pregnancy and severe hypertension.
• MOA: increases cGMP → smooth muscle relaxation.
• Contraindications: systemic lupus erythematosus · ischaemic heart disease.
• Adverse effects: tachycardia · palpitations · flushing · fluid retention · headache · drug-induced lupus.

Decision points in this pathway

• Contraindication present (SLE or IHD)?

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