HydrALAZINE HCL Oral Suspension (Anhydrous)
Hydralazine HCl is a compounded formulation containing hydralazine hydrochloride, prepared by Mixlab for veterinary use in dogs and cats. Available by prescription.
How to Give Anhydrous Oral Suspension
Oral Suspension (Anhydrous) is a liquid medication that does not contain water in its base. This might be an oil-based or other special base to help stabilize the medicine. It will look like a regular liquid medication, but often needs a good shake because the drug can settle. Here's how to give it:
- Shake well each time to mix the medication (5-10 seconds).
- Measure the dose using the syringe/dropper provided or one recommended by your vet. Insert the top of the oral syringe into the bottle adapter. Turn the bottle upside down and pull the plunger until the medicine reaches the volume required
- Hold your pet steady: a towel or helper can assist with squirmy pets.
- Administer the dose slowly into the side of the mouth. Allow small pauses if needed for swallowing.
- Raise the head slightly to help the medication go down and clean any spills with a little water or tissue.
- Praise your pet and offer a treat or water (unless advised against feeding right after).
- Clean the syringe with water immediately after use. Store the bottle as directed, out of sunlight.
- Consistency is key: Shake each time, measure accurately, and contact your vet if any issues arise.
The uses and pharmacology described below reflect the FDA-approved labeling for this active ingredient; your veterinarian determines whether and how they apply to your animal's treatment plan.
Hydralazine is a direct-acting vasodilator that relaxes arterial smooth muscle, reducing the resistance the heart must pump against. On the FDA-approved human label, it is indicated for the management of hypertension.
In veterinary medicine, hydralazine is used off-label in dogs and cats, most often as part of managing significant mitral valve regurgitation or other conditions causing fluid buildup in the lungs, and for acute hypertensive crises. This information is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, prescribing, or monitoring. Compounded drugs are not approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness.
This medication is typically started at a low dose and adjusted gradually under close veterinary supervision, often alongside blood pressure monitoring, since too rapid or too great a drop in blood pressure can cause weakness or collapse. Commonly reported effects include low blood pressure, a fast heart rate, and gastrointestinal upset. Use with caution in animals with significant heart valve disease other than the condition being treated, and tell your veterinarian about all other blood pressure or heart medications your pet is taking, since combining them can increase the risk of excessively low blood pressure.
Yes. Hydralazine is available only by prescription from a licensed veterinarian.
Yes. Mixlab can prepare hydralazine as a compounded formulation tailored to your pet's prescribed strength and format.
Hydralazine is used off-label in dogs and cats, most often to help manage significant mitral valve regurgitation or acute hypertensive crises, by relaxing blood vessels. Your veterinarian determines whether it's appropriate based on your pet's cardiac workup.
Contact your veterinarian if you notice weakness, collapse, pale gums, or a significantly elevated heart rate, which can indicate blood pressure dropping too low.
