Uni Serp Disease Interactions

Hydralazine may rarely cause blood dyscrasias at recommended dosages. Reduction in hemoglobin, red cell count, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, and purpura have been reported. Therapy with hydralazine should be administered cautiously in patients with these preexisting conditions and if such abnormalities develop during the course of therapy, treatment should be discontinued. Monitoring blood counts should be considered for those patients at higher risk.

The use of hydralazine is contraindicated in patients with coronary artery disease. Reflex tachycardia may commonly occur. Palpitations and chest pain have also been reported. Myocardial infarction has been associated with the use of hydralazine.

The use of hydralazine has been associated with the development of lupus erythematosus and lupus-like syndromes, as well as exacerbation of the disease. Hydralazine therapy should be withdrawn in patients experiencing worsening of preexisting lupus. Monitoring complete blood counts, and antinuclear antibody titers before and during prolonged therapy is recommended.

The use of hydralazine is contraindicated in patients with mitral valvular rheumatic heart disease.

The use of rauwolfia alkaloids is contraindicated in patients with a history of mental depression, especially suicidal tendencies. Rauwolfia alkaloids depletes catecholamine and serotonin stores.

The use of rauwolfia alkaloids is contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer or ulcerative colitis. Since rauwolfia alkaloids increase gastrointestinal motility and secretion, these conditions may be aggravated. Therapy with rauwolfia alkaloids should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of peptic ulcer or ulcerative colitis because of the risk of reactivation.

The use of thiazide diuretics is contraindicated in patients with anuria.

The use of thiazide diuretics is commonly associated with loss of electrolytes, most significantly potassium but also sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, and magnesium. The loss of other electrolytes such as phosphate, bromide and iodide is usually slight. Potassium and magnesium depletion may lead to cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Other electrolyte-related complications include metabolic alkalosis and hyponatremia, which are rarely life-threatening. Therapy with thiazide diuretics should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to fluid and electrolyte depletion, including patients with primary or secondary aldosteronism (may have low potassium levels); those with severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting; and those with poor nutritional status. Fluid and electrolyte abnormalities should be corrected prior to initiating therapy, and blood pressure as well as serum electrolyte concentrations monitored periodically and maintained at normal ranges during therapy. Patients should be advised to immediately report signs and symptoms of fluid or electrolyte imbalance, including dry mouth, thirst, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, restlessness, muscle pains or cramps, muscular fatigue, hypotension, oliguria, tachycardia, arrhythmia, or gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and vomiting. Digitalized patients and patients with a history of ventricular arrhythmias should be monitored carefully, since development of hypokalemia may be particularly dangerous in these patients. The risk of hypokalemia may be minimized by slow diuresis, a lower thiazide dosage, potassium supplementation, or combined use with a potassium-sparing diuretic.

Patients with severe liver disease or cirrhosis are very susceptible to thiazide-induced hypokalemic hypochloremic alkalosis. Blood ammonia concentrations may be further increased in patients with previously elevated concentrations. Hepatic encephalopathy and death have occurred secondary to the electrolyte alterations accompanying diuretic use. Therapy with thiazide diuretics should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, and discontinued promptly if signs of impending hepatic coma appear (e.g., tremors, confusion, and increased jaundice).

The use of thiazide diuretics has been reported to possibly exacerbate or activate systemic lupus erythematosus. Reported cases have generally been associated with chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide. Therapy with thiazide diuretics should be administered cautiously in patients with a history or risk of SLE.

Thiazide diuretics may be ineffective when the glomerular filtration rate is low (GFR < 25 mL/min) because they are not expected to be filtered into the renal tubule, their site of action. In addition, thiazide diuretics decrease the GFR and may precipitate azotemia in renal disease. Cumulative effects may also develop because most of these drugs are excreted unchanged in the urine by glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion. Therapy with thiazide diuretics should be administered cautiously at reduced dosages in patients with renal impairment. If renal function becomes progressively worse, as indicated by rising BUN or serum creatinine levels, an interruption or discontinuation of thiazide therapy should be considered.

Peripheral- acting antiadrenergic agents can cause peripheral edema. Therapy with peripheral- acting antiadrenergic agents should be administered cautiously in patients adversely affected by sodium and water retention.

The vasodilatory effects of hydralazine may aggravate cerebral vasculopathy. Therapy with hydralazine should be administered cautiously in patients with cerebral vasculopathy.

The use of hydralazine has been associated with the development of glomerulonephritis. Hydralazine should be used with caution in patients with advanced renal damage and these patients may require a lower dose. Renal function should be monitored and supported as required.

Rauwolfia alkaloids increase gastrointestinal motility and secretion and can precipitate biliary colic in patients with gallstones. Therapy with rauwolfia alkaloids should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of gallstones.

In general, lowering the blood pressure may cause some decrease in renal function. Therefore, rauwolfia alkaloids should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment, since these patients may adjust poorly to the hypotensive effects of these agents.

Thiazide diuretics should be used with caution in patients with history of bronchial asthma as sensitivity reactions may occur.

Thiazide diuretics may cause hyperglycemia and glycosuria in patients with diabetes. They may also precipitate diabetes in prediabetic patients. These effects are usually reversible following discontinuation of the drugs. Therapy with thiazide diuretics should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance, or a predisposition to hyperglycemia. Patients with diabetes mellitus should be monitored more closely during thiazide therapy, and their antidiabetic regimen adjusted accordingly.

Thiazide diuretics may increase serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels, primarily LDL and VLDL. Whether these effects are dose-related and sustained during chronic therapy are unknown. Patients with preexisting hyperlipidemia may require closer monitoring during thiazide therapy, and adjustments made accordingly in their lipid-lowering regimen

Urinary calcium excretion is decreased by thiazide diuretics during chronic administration. Pathologic changes in the parathyroid gland with hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia have been reported during prolonged therapy. However, the common complications of hyperparathyroidism such as renal lithiasis, bone resorption, and peptic ulceration have not been seen. Clinicians should be cognizant of these effects when prescribing or administering thiazide therapy to patients with hyperparathyroidism. These drugs should be discontinued before carrying out tests for parathyroid function.

Thiazide diuretics decrease the rate of uric acid excretion. Hyperuricemia occurs frequently but is usually asymptomatic and rarely leads to clinical gout except in patients with a history of gout or chronic renal failure. Therapy with thiazide diuretics should be administered cautiously in such patients.

Thiazide diuretics may decrease serum PBI (protein-bound iodine) levels without associated thyroid disturbance. Clinicians should be cognizant of this effect when prescribing or administering thiazide therapy to patients with thyroid disorders.