What is the most important information I should know about droxidopa?
Droxidopa can increase your blood pressure even while you are lying down. You may need to keep your head elevated during sleep to help prevent high blood pressure. Follow your doctor's instructions about how to position your body while you are lying down or sleeping.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked before and during treatment with droxidopa, or whenever your dose is changed. Check your blood pressure while you are lying down, and check it again with your head elevated.
What is droxidopa?
Droxidopa works by constricting (narrowing) the blood vessels and increasing blood pressure.
Droxidopa is used to treat low blood pressure that causes severe dizziness or a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.
This medicine is for use in people with conditions of the nervous system that can cause low blood pressure (such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, autonomic failure, and others).
Droxidopa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking droxidopa?
You should not use droxidopa if you are allergic to it.
To make sure droxidopa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- heart disease;
- history of heart attack or stroke;
- high blood pressure;
- kidney disease;
- asthma, or a history of severe allergic reaction to aspirin, especially aspirin triad syndrome; or
- if you are allergic to yellow food dye.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether droxidopa passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Droxidopa is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take droxidopa?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Droxidopa is usually taken 3 times per day, as follows. First dose in the morning when you wake up; second dose at mid-day; third dose in the late afternoon or at least 3 hours before you go to bed. The timing of your doses is very important in helping to maintain a healthy blood pressure while you are taking droxidopa. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
You may take droxidopa with or without food, but take it the same way each time.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open a droxidopa capsule. Swallow it whole.
Droxidopa can increase your blood pressure even while you are lying down or sleeping (when blood pressure is usually lowest). Long-term high blood pressure (hypertension) can lead to heart attack or stroke, which may be fatal.
Follow your doctor's instructions about the best way to position your body while you are laying down or sleeping. You may need to keep your head elevated to help prevent high blood pressure.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked before and during treatment with droxidopa, or whenever your dose is changed. Check your blood pressure while you are lying down, and check it again with your head elevated.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits if you use droxidopa for longer than 2 weeks.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your bedtime is less than 3 hours away. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Do not take the medicine less than 3 hours before bedtime.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking droxidopa?
Avoid taking the medicine less than 3 hours before bedtime.
What are the possible side effects of droxidopa?
Stop taking droxidopa and get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; wheezing, chest tightness, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe dizziness or light-headed feeling;
- confusion, fever;
- pain or burning when you urinate;
-
dangerously high blood pressure --severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure; or
-
severe nervous system reaction --very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.
Common side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness;
- nausea; or
- increased blood pressure.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect droxidopa?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with droxidopa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about droxidopa.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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