Midodrine
About Midodrine
Midodrine is a prescription medication used to treat severe low blood pressure that causes dizziness or lightheadedness when you stand up. This medical condition, known as symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, occurs when your body cannot maintain normal blood pressure during position changes. By helping to raise your standing blood pressure, this medication relieves these symptoms and helps you perform daily activities more comfortably.
You should take Midodrine consistently during your daytime hours when you are upright and active. Because of how this medication affects your blood pressure, you must never take it right before bedtime or before lying down for long periods. It can be taken with or without food. Combining this treatment with lifestyle adjustments, such as wearing compression stockings and staying well-hydrated, can help you get the best results.
While taking Midodrine, you may experience mild and temporary side effects like goosebumps, shivering, or an itchy scalp. However, you must monitor your health closely and contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of high blood pressure while lying down, such as a severe headache, blurred vision, or pounding in your ears. Your doctor will help you manage these symptoms safely.
Do not take this if you have severe heart disease, acute kidney disease, urinary retention, or persistent high blood pressure while lying down. Before starting this medication, it is vital to tell your doctor if you have diabetes, thyroid issues, or a history of kidney or liver problems. Your doctor will evaluate your health history to ensure this medication is safe for you.
This medication can interact with other prescription medicines, especially those used to treat high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, or heart rate problems. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can cause sudden drops in blood pressure and worsen dizziness. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks and benefits before starting treatment.
Uses of Midodrine
Medicinal Benefits
Midodrine helps manage symptoms of low blood pressure on standing by improving blood pressure stability and reducing dizziness. With regular use, it helps improve physical stability, supports everyday activities, and enhances overall quality of life.
- Reduces Dizziness on Standing: By helping stabilise blood pressure when you stand up, this medicine reduces dizziness and light-headedness, making it easier to change positions comfortably.
- Lowers the Risk of Fainting: This medicine helps reduce the likelihood of fainting episodes, improving safety and confidence during daily activities.
- Supports Independence and Mobility: By improving standing tolerance and physical stability, this medicine helps you perform routine tasks and move around with greater comfort and confidence.
Directions for Use
- Midodrine can be taken with meals.
- It is usually taken 2-3 times daily during the daytime, with each dose taken 3 hours apart, or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Midodrine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Midodrine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Goosebumps or chills
- Itchy skin, particularly on the scalp
- Tingling or crawling sensation on the skin
- Urinary urgency or difficulty urinating
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Severe headache or pounding sensation in your ears
- Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
- Slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeats
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Never take a dose of Midodrine if you plan to lie down, rest, or nap shortly afterwards.
- Always take your final dose of the day at least 4 hours before bedtime to avoid dangerously high blood pressure while sleeping.
- Check your blood pressure regularly both while standing up and while lying down, and keep a log for your doctor.
- Stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately if your resting heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute or if you feel your heart pounding.
- Avoid strenuous physical exercise in hot environments, as this can worsen low blood pressure.
Drug Interactions
- Beta-blockers or digitalis: Taking these together with Midodrine may cause your heart rate to slow down to an unsafe level.
- Other blood pressure-raising medications: Decongestants, thyroid hormones, or certain antidepressants may cause dangerously high blood pressure when combined with this medication.
- Steroids: May increase blood pressure further and lead to excessive fluid retention.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeConsuming alcohol along with Midodrine is not advisable as it may cause unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorPlease consult the doctor. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorConsult your doctor, and there is no substantial research yet on the use of Midodrine in breastfeeding/nursing mothers.
Driving
unsafeIf you feel dizzy or lightheaded while taking Midodrine, avoid driving or using machines.
Liver
consult your doctorLimited information is available on the use of Midodrine in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
Kidney
consult your doctorLimited information is available on the use of Midodrine in patients with Kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
Children
unsafeMidodrine is not recommended for children below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or electrolyte-rich drinks, throughout the day to help maintain your blood volume.
- Increase your dietary salt intake, but only if explicitly recommended and guided by your doctor.
- Wear medical-grade compression stockings to help prevent blood from pooling in your legs.
- Elevate the head of your bed by 10 to 15 degrees using bed risers to help prevent high blood pressure while you sleep.
- Get out of bed or stand up from a chair very slowly, pausing for a moment before moving to prevent sudden dizziness.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypotension: Low blood pressure occurs when blood pressure drops below the normal range. It can cause dizziness, weakness, fainting, and the risk of injury from falls. Also, severely low blood pressure can deprive your body of enough oxygen to carry out its functions, damaging your heart and brain. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between heartbeats. Ideal blood pressure should be 120/80 mmHg. Hypotension exists when the systolic pressure is less than 90 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is less than 60 mmHg.
FAQs
Midodrine is used to treat idiopathic postural hypotension or hypotension (low blood pressure)
Midodrine contains the active ingredient midodrine hydrochloride, which acts on the blood vessels via the sympathetic nervous system to correct imbalances of blood distribution. This should help relieve the symptoms you might suffer, such as dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, and weakness when sitting or standing up.
Do not stop taking Midodrine on your own. Depending on your medical condition, you are advised to take Midodrine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not hesitate to speak with your doctor if you experience difficulty while taking Midodrine.
Midodrine is contraindicated in patients with severe organic heart disease, congestive heart failure, thyrotoxicosis, phaeochromocytoma, acute renal disease, severe renal insufficiency, urinary retention, narrow-angle glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, known hypersensitivity to any component of the product. And also, Patients with a history of CVA should be monitored closely.
Midodrine is metabolised to desglymidodrine, an active metabolite that activates alpha-1-adrenergic receptors on arterioles and venules, causing smooth muscle contraction and blood pressure increase. Midodrine may cause a drop in heart rate due to the vagal reflex.
The side effects of Midodrine include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, supine hypertension (high blood pressure while lying down), and dysuria (painful or uncomfortable urination). If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Yes, Midodrine may cause high blood pressure when you are lying flat on your back (supine hypertension). Midodrine should only be used by people whose low blood pressure affects their daily activities and in people who could not be treated successfully with other therapies.
You are advised not to lie down immediately after taking Midodrine due to the risk of supine hypertension (high blood pressure when you are lying flat on your back). Therefore, it is recommended to take the final dose of the day at least 4 hours before bedtime. By elevating the head, you can reduce the risk of supine hypertension during the night.
Midodrine may take about 1 hour to show its effects. Though the effect lasts for about 2-3 hours, the action lasts for a short time only.
Take Midodrine exactly as advised by your doctor. It is taken orally with or without food. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush or chew it.
Midodrine is not recommended for patients who are allergic to any of its components, who have unusually slow heart rate, severe heart disease, high blood pressure, conditions causing tightening of the arteries, urinary retention (when the bladder cannot empty properly), overactive thyroid, enlarged prostate gland, pheochromocytoma (tumour of the adrenal medulla), acute or severe kidney disease, poor vision as a result of diabetes and narrow-angle glaucoma (elevated pressure in the eye).
Before starting Midodrine, you may need to get your liver and kidney function tests done and check your blood pressure. After starting the treatment, keep a constant track of your heart rate and blood pressure, especially after lying down.
Symptoms of supine hypertension include shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations (abnormalities of heartbeat), blurred vision, and headache. If you develop these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. The doctor may lower the dose of Midodrine or discontinue treatment if the symptoms persists.
You should be cautious while using Midodrine and metoprolol together as it can decrease your heart rate significantly. If you experience dizziness, fainting and slow pulse, inform your doctor as the dose of these medicines may need to be adjusted. However, please consult your doctor before using other medicines with Midodrine.
No, you must not take this medication before bedtime. Taking it within 4 hours of lying down can cause dangerously high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need help scheduling your doses.
You should avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol can cause your blood vessels to widen, which may cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly and make your dizziness worse. Talk to your doctor for personalised advice.
Yes, you can take this medication with or without food. However, taking it the same way each day helps keep the level of medicine in your body consistent. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience stomach upset.
The safety of this medication during pregnancy is not fully established. It should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
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