midodrine

What is the most important information I should know about midodrine?

Midodrine can increase blood pressure even when you are at rest. This medicine should be used only if you have severely low blood pressure that affects your daily life. Midodrine may not improve your ability to perform daily activities.

What is midodrine?

Midodrine works by constricting (narrowing) the blood vessels and increasing blood pressure.

Midodrine is used to treat low blood pressure (hypotension) that causes severe dizziness or a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out. This medicine is for use only when low blood pressure affects daily life. Midodrine may not improve your ability to perform daily activities.

Midodrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking midodrine?

• severe heart disease;
• kidney disease, or if you are unable to urinate;
• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
• overactive thyroid; or
• high blood pressure even while lying down.

To make sure midodrine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• diabetes;
• glaucoma or a history of vision problems;
• liver disease; or
• a history of kidney disease.

How should I take midodrine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Midodrine is usually taken 3 times per day, with doses spaced at least 3 hours apart. Take your last dose of the day within 3 or 4 hours before bedtime.

You may take midodrine with or without food.

Take this medicine during your normal waking hours, when your are most likely to be upright and not lying down or napping. Ask your doctor about how to take this medicine if you normally lie down during the day.

Midodrine 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 serious medical problems.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked before and during treatment with midodrine. Check your blood pressure while you are lying down, and check it again with your head elevated.

Your kidney and liver function may also need to be checked.

Midodrine is only part of a treatment program that may also include lifestyle changes, wearing support stockings on your legs, and possibly special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

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. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

You may need to skip a dose if you will be resting or lying down for a long period of time during your normal waking hours. Talk to your doctor about how to adjust your dose schedule if needed.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a midodrine overdose may include increased blood pressure (flushing, headache, pounding heartbeat, blurred vision), goosebumps, feeling cold, or trouble urinating.

What should I avoid while taking midodrine?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any over-the-counter diet pills, or cough/cold medicine that contains phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine. These medicines may raise your blood pressure.

What are the possible side effects of midodrine?

• severely slowed heart rate --weak pulse, severe dizziness or light-headed feeling; or
• dangerously high blood pressure --severe headache, pounding sensation in your ears ("hearing" your heartbeats), blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure.

Common side effects may include:

• chills, goosebumps;
• numbness, tingling, or itching (especially in your scalp);
• headache, dizziness, tired feeling;
• nausea; or
• increased urination, painful or difficult urination, or sudden urge to urinate.

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 midodrine?

Taking midodrine with other drugs that constrict blood vessels can further increase your blood pressure. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• digoxin, digitalis, droxidopa, fludrocortisone
• an antidepressant;
• asthma medicine;
• heart or blood pressure medicine;
• migraine headache medicine;
• thyroid medicine such as levothyroid or Synthroid;
• drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder --prazosin, terazosin, or doxazosin; or
• an MAO inhibitor --isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with midodrine, 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 midodrine.