Midodrine: Uses & Sides Effects

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. midodrine is for use only when low blood pressure affects daily life. Midodrine may not improve your ability to perform daily activities.

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.

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 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.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Precautions

You should not use midodrine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • severe heart disease;
  • kidney disease, or if you are unable to urinate;
  • pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
  • overactive thyroid;
  • 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;
  • a history of kidney disease.

It is not known whether midodrine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether midodrine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking midodrine and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severely slowed heart rate–weak pulse, severe dizziness or light-headed feeling;
  • 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;
  • increased urination, painful or difficult urination, or sudden urge to urinate.

Interactions

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;
  • an MAO inhibitor–isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.


Keyword: midodrine.

* The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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