Emergency Drugs · Direct arteriolar vasodilator
Hydralazine (IV)
Dose
5–10 mg IV bolus over 2 min, repeat q20 min (max 30 mg).
Indications
- • Severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia HTN
- • Hypertensive emergency in pregnancy
Use
Preferred parenteral antihypertensive in pregnancy.
Monitoring
BP q5 min, fetal HR.
Side effects
- • Reflex tachycardia
- • Headache
- • Lupus-like syndrome (chronic)
- • Fetal distress if excessive BP drop
Pregnancy safety
Safe — first-line IV.
Related in WardRound
Hypertensive Emergency
Protocol · BP >180/120 + end-organ damage
Eclampsia
Protocol · Magnesium sulphate + delivery
Severe HTN in Pregnancy / Eclampsia
Protocol · Labetalol / hydralazine + MgSO4
Pre-eclampsia
Topic · Obs/Gynae
Pre-eclampsia
Topic · Obs/Gynae
Heart Failure — Reduced EF
Topic · Cardiology
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Topic · Cardiology
Severe Pregnancy Hypertension
Topic · Obstetrics
Always confirm dose against your local formulary / BNF before prescribing.
