Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine (Oral)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• BiDil

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Antianginal

Chemical Class: Nitrate

Uses for isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine

Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination is used to treat heart failure in black patients.

Isosorbide dinitrate belongs to the group of medicines called nitrates. It works by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its work load.

Hydralazine works by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its work load.

Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver or kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Avanafil
• Riociguat
• Sildenafil
• Tadalafil
• Vardenafil

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be u...