Hydralazine Oral, Injection, Intravenous and Oxacillin Sodium

• Generic Name: hydralazine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Apresoline

Hydralazine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to control high blood pressure in a mother during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia or eclampsia) or in emergency situations when blood pressure is extremely high (hypertensive crisis).

High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. Lowering blood pressure can decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Hydralazine works by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload.

Hydralazine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

• Generic Name: oxacillin
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names:

  Oxacillin Sodium ADD-Vantage, Bactocill

Treatment of infections caused by, or suspected of being caused by, susceptible penicillinase-producing staphylococci, including respiratory tract, skin and skin structure, bone and joint, and urinary tract infections and meningitis or bacteremia. A drug of choice for these infections.

Treatment of native valve or prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by susceptible staphylococci. A drug of choice; used with or without gentamicin for native valve endocarditis and used in conjunction with rifampin and gentamicin for prosthetic valve endocarditis.

If used empirically, consider whether staphylococci resistant to penicillinase-resistant penicillins (oxacillin-resistant [methicillin-resistant] staphylococci) are prevalent in the hospital or community. (See Staphylococci Resistant to Penicillinase-resistant Penicillins under Cautions.)

Has been used for perioperative prophylaxis in patients undergoing neurosurgery or cardiovascular or orthopedic surgery associated with high risk of staphylococcal infections. Not considered a drug of choice.