Midodrine
Midodrine may cause supine hypertension (high blood pressure that occurs when lying flat on your back). This medication should only be used by people whose low blood pressure severely limits their ability to perform daily activities and who could not be treated successfully with other therapies. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking dihydroergotamine (DHE, Migranal). Also tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and pseudoephedrine. Many nonprescription products contain these medications (e.g. diet pills and medications for cough and colds), so check labels carefully. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking midodrine and call your doctor immediately: awareness of your heartbeat, pounding in your ears, headache, or blurred vision. After beginning treatment, your doctor may tell you to continue taking midodrine only if you have significant improvement in your symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling while taking this medication.
Keep all appointments with your doctor. You should have your blood pressure checked in the standing and lying flat positions before starting treatment and regularly while you are taking midodrine.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking midodrine.
🔔 Why is this medication prescribed?
Midodrine is used to treat orthostatic hypotension (sudden fall in blood pressure that occurs when a person assumes a standing position). Midodrine is in a class of medications called alpha-adrenergic agonists. It works by causing blood vessels to tighten, which increases blood pressure.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Midodrine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day during the daytime hours (such as morning, midday, and late afternoon [before 6PM]) with doses spaced at least 3 hours apart. Take the last daily dose of midodrine before an evening meal and at least 4 hours before bedtime. Take midodrine at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take midodrine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Take midodrine during daytime hours when you need to be upright. Avoid taking a dose when you will be lying down for any length of time. Also talk to your doctor about how to position yourself when you are lying down. Your doctor may tell you to raise the head of your bed when resting or sleeping.
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🔔 Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
