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What Causes Water Retention After Increasing The Dose Of Hydralazine?

Posted on Thu, 15 Jun 2017

Question: My kidney specialist doubled my dosage of hydralaine HCI to 50 mg three times a day. My cardiologist originally prescribed a dosage of 25 MG three times a day. I feel that my water retention has increased dramatically since the dosage change. Blood pressure readings still in the 130/78 levels before and after the change. Is water retention normal for this medication?

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hydralazine retains sodium causing water retention.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query on this forum.
I've gone through your question in detail.

Hydralazine can cause fluid and salt retention, which increases the volume of fluid and therefore the pressure within the blood vessels. It's a very common side effect of hydralazine As this is also not beneficial in treating high blood pressure, a diuretic, such as furosemide, may be included in treatment to remove this excess fluid.

Hydralazine increases retention of sodium in the body. Function of sodium is to hold water in body hence it increases water retention

Usually administered at doses 25 mg thrice a day. 50 mg thrice is a bit high dose hence retention of fluid is increased.

For any further details kindly mention the complete history and reason you are on hydralazine as for treatment of congestive cardiac failure and hypertension number of better options are available.

Hope I answered your query, feel free to follow up.

Thanks.
Dr. Rishu Saxena
Cardiologist..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Rishu Saxena (17 hours later)

Thank you for the response to my question. I am going back to the original prescription and also continue to take furosimide along with it. Q: you mentioned other options. Would you be willing to give me the names so I may go over this with my cardiologist and kidney doctors? Again, thank you so much. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up advice

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I would be glad to help you but can you please give me a briefing about your case.I mean why are you on hydralazine?
Why was the dose doubled?
Why are you consulting a nephrologist?

Please provide me a briefing about your case so that i can povide you with a good professional advice.

Waiting.
Thanks!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad