BiDil

Isosorbide Dinitrate and Hydralazine, also known and sold under the trade name of BiDil, is a product which belongs to the group of drugs known as nitrates.

This product is a combination of two medications – Isosorbide Dinitrate and Hydralazine, both known as vasodilators. This product is used in the treatment of heart failure.

It is considered to work by widening and relaxing the blood vessels, and that way it helps the easier the blood flow. This product is available in the form of a tablet, to be taken orally.

Before the decision to start the treatment with this product, it is essential to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as, about the potential side effects and risks.

For the decision to be made, the beneficial effects must outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together, will have to make.

During the consultations, inform the doctor about:

Allergies – Inform the doctor about any allergic reaction to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reaction to any specific type of food, dye, fabric and etc.

Pediatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in pediatric patients. Safety is not guaranteed. Because of this, it should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Geriatric – Proper studies done have not shown any age-connected risks when this medication has been used in geriatric patients. However, because of the increased risk of kidney or liver disease within the elderly, this medication must be used with extra caution.

Pregnancy – Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. Safety is not guaranteed. It is unknown how would it affect the fetus. Because of this, it should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Breastfeeding – Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in nursing mothers. Safety is not guaranteed. It is unknown if it is extracted in the milk, or how would it affect the infant. Because of this, it should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Drug interactions – Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications should not be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur.

However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of a combination including two or more medications to treat your condition if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.

Other interactions – Certain medication should not be used in a combination with food, tobacco and alcohol. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need to follow a specific diet and discontinue your use of tobacco and/or alcohol during the treatment.

Other medical problems – Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems, and condition from the past or at the moment. Especially, inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present – allergic reaction to nitrates, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or hypotension.

For proper use, follow the directions given by the doctor. This medication is in the form of a tablet, taken orally with or without food. Take the tablet whole, with water. Do not crush, break or chew the tablet.

The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment. The usual dose is three tablets, daily. In order to get the most beneficial effects, take the medication regularly.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up. This medication is harmful if there is an overdose. If an overdose is suspected, contact the doctor right away for further directions.

Visit your doctor at your scheduled appointments so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any necessary adjustments if needed.

These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue the treatment if there are any serious side effects present which would worsen your condition or if your condition does not improve.

Inform the doctor about any allergic reaction to any kind of medication, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this medication may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur.

Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant. The doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy.

If you have any plans about pregnancy, the doctor will probably advise you to start using a proven form of birth control to help prevent pregnancy during the treatment. Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding.

The doctor may decide to not treat you with this medication, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in nursing mothers.

This product may cause dizziness. Avoid driving or any other activities that require alertness during the treatment.

Along with its needed beneficial effects, there are potential side effects which could occur. These side effects do not occur within all patients, also they could be mild or more serious.

However, it is essential to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor as soon as possible.

Common side effects – a headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and flushing. These side effects are considered as not serious. However, if their presence worsens or if they persist, inform the doctor as soon as possible.

Serious side effects – severe tiredness, aching/swollen joints, a rash on the nose and the cheeks, swollen glands, change in the amount of urine, signs of infection (e.g. fever, chills, and persistent sore throat), easy bleeding/bruising, or fainting. These side effects are serious, whose presence must be reported to the doctor as soon as possible.

A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is rare, but if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible – skin rash, itching/swelling of the hands/feet/face/throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.