What is midodrine?
Midodrine is a vasopressor. Midodrine causes constriction (tightening) of the blood vessels which leads to an increase in blood pressure.
Midodrine is used to treat low blood pressure.
Midodrine may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.
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Precautions
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Instructions
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Side Effects
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Interactions
Precautions
Do not take midodrine without first talking to your doctor if you have
- heart or blood vessel problems (other than low blood pressure);
- high blood pressure;
- kidney problems;
- difficulty urinating;
- pheochromocytoma; or
- over active thyroid.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
- liver problems;
- visual disturbances;
- diabetes; or
- glaucoma.
You may not be able to take midodrine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
Midodrine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take midodrine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether midodrine passes into breast milk. Do not take midodrine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Midodrine can cause increased blood pressure when lying down. The last dose of midodrine should be taken at least 3 to 4 hours before bedtime. If you are going to be lying down for any length of time during the day, you may need to skip a dose of midodrine. Talk to your doctor about how to take midodrine if you lie down during the day.
Other prescription and over-the-counter medicines may cause an increase in blood pressure, which may be dangerous when taken with midodrine. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal products especially cough, cold, or allergy products, weight loss products, asthma or respiratory medicines, migraine headache medicines, heart or blood pressure medicines, or antidepressants without first talking to your doctor.
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Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a midodrine overdose may include increased blood pressure (flushing, headache, pounding heartbeat, blurred vision), goosebumps, difficulty urination, a feeling of being cold, and loss of consciousness.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember then wait the prescribed amount of time before taking another dose. Generally, doses should not be taken less than 3 hours apart. Follow your doctor’s instructions. Do not take a double dose of this medication, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
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Side Effects
In some cases, midodrine may cause an excessive increase in blood pressure, especially when lying down. Contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you experience an unusual awareness of heartbeats, pounding in the ears, headache, or blurred vision. These may be signs of increased blood pressure.
In some cases, increased blood pressure may cause a slowed heart rate. Contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you experience decreased pulse rate, increased dizziness, fainting, or an unusual awareness of heartbeats. These may be signs of a slowed heart rate.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking midodrine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; hives; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; rash; or fainting); or
- irregular heartbeats, fluttering feeling in the chest, or chest pain.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take midodrine and talk to your doctor if you experience
- chills or goosebumps;
- itching or tingling of the skin;
- increased need to urinate or difficulty with urination;
- feeling of pressure or fullness in the head;
- dryness of the mouth; or
- nervousness or anxiety.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Interactions
Before taking midodrine, talk to your doctor if you are taking any other medicines especially any of the following:
- an alpha adrenergic blocker such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), or terazosin (Hytrin);
- flecainide (Tambocor);
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB) or ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75);
- digoxin (Lanoxin);
- metformin (Glucophage);
- fludrocortisone (Florinef);
- triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide);
- drugs that stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors such as pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, ephedrine, or dihydroergotamine;
- quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release); or
- procainamide (Procan SR, Procanbid, Pronestyl).
You may not be able to take midodrine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Other prescription and over-the-counter medicines may cause an increase in blood pressure, which may be dangerous when taken with midodrine. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal products especially cough, cold, or allergy products, weight loss products, asthma or respiratory medicines, migraine headache medicines, heart or blood pressure medicines, irregular heartbeat medicines, or antidepressants without first talking to your doctor.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with midodrine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Other Names
Orvaten, ProAmatine, and midodrine
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
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