What is Midodrine?
The blood vessels are constricted (narrowed), and the blood pressure is increased by midodrine. The midodrine drug is prescribed to treat low blood pressure (hypotension), which causes dizziness and a feeling of being light-headed. Midodrine should only be used when low blood pressure affects your daily life. Midodrine might not help you perform your daily tasks. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of midodrine.
Side effects of Midodrine
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy reaction, seek immediate medical attention: Hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your lips, face, throat, tongue, or mouth. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking midodrine immediately and contact your doctor.
- A severely slow heartbeat can be accompanied by a weak pulse, dizziness, and a lightheaded feeling.
- High blood pressure is dangerous. Symptoms include severe headaches, blurred vision, and buzzing sounds in the ears. Other symptoms are anxiety, confusion, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeats.
Side effects common to midodrine include:
- Chills, goosebumps;
- Itching, tingling, or numbness (especially on your scalp);
- Headache, fatigue, and dizziness
- Nausea;
- Increased urination or painful or difficult urination.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report any adverse reactions by calling the FDA's confidential hotline: 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Phenylephrine, norepinephrine, ephedrine, levophed, droxidopa, and proamatine
Warnings
Midodrine should be avoided if the patient has severe heart disease or an overactive thyroid.Midodrine increases blood pressure, even when at rest. Midodrine is only recommended if your blood pressure is severely low and affecting your everyday life. Midodrine might not help you perform your daily tasks.
Before you take this drug
Midodrine should be avoided if:
- Heart disease is a serious condition.
- If you suffer from kidney disease and are unable to urinate on your own, or find that you cannot void, there may be options available to assist with urinary incontinence.
- Pheochromocytoma
- Overactive thyroid
- High blood pressure while lying on the bed
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that midodrine will be safe for you:
- Diabetes;
- A history of eye problems or glaucoma;
- Liver Disease
- A history of kidney diseases.
This medicine is unknown to cause harm to an unborn child. Inform your doctor of any pregnancy or plans to get pregnant.Midodrine is unknown to pass into breast milk. It's also not known if midodrine could cause harm to a baby who was nursing. Inform your doctor that you are breastfeeding a child.
How to take Midodrine?
Do not exceed the dosage or duration recommended on your prescription. Take midodrine only as prescribed.Do not exceed the prescribed dose or duration.Take midodrine three times a day. The doses should be spaced out for at least three hours. You should take your last dose within three or four hours of bedtime.Take midodrine either with food or without.If you normally lie down during the day, ask your doctor how to take this medication. If you usually lie down in the middle of the day, ask your doctor how to use this medication.Midodrine increases blood pressure, even when you're lying down or asleep (when your blood pressure is typically lowest). Hypertension (high blood pressure) over a long period of time can cause serious health problems.You should follow your doctor's advice on how to best position yourself while lying or sleeping. It may be necessary to elevate your head to prevent high blood pressure.You will have to check your blood pressure before and after treatment with midodrine. You should check your blood pressure lying on your back, then again when you elevate your head.You may need your kidney and liver functions tested.
Midodrine may be part of an overall treatment plan that includes lifestyle modifications, support stockings for your legs, and possible special medical attention. You should follow your doctor’s advice.Keep the temperature within room temperatures to avoid excess heat and moisture.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for hypotension:
Orally, 10 mg 3 times per day when the patient is required to stand upright during the day.
Comments:
If necessary, the three doses per day can be administered at intervals of 3 hours, but no more.
This drug must not be taken after a meal in the evening or within 4 hours of bedtime.
This drug is only to be used in those patients who show signs of improvement after the initial course.
Use: To treat symptomatic orthostatic hypotension in patients who are suffering from a significant impairment of life despite receiving standard care. This includes non-pharmacologic treatments such as supportive stockings and fluid expansion.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as possible, take the missed dose.If the time for your next dose has arrived, do not take the missed one. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose. If you are going to be lying or resting for an extended period during normal hours of waking, it may be necessary to skip the dose. Speak to your doctor if you need to change your dosage schedule.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention. Midodrine can cause symptoms such as increased blood pressure, goosebumps, or cold sensations.
What should be avoided?
Do not take medication less than three hours before you go to bed. Before using over-the-counter diet pills or cold or cough medicine containing phenylephrine, ask your doctor. These medicines may raise your blood pressure.
Interaction with other drug
Midodrine can increase blood pressure when taken with drugs that tighten blood vessels. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using.
- Digoxin, digitalis, droxidopa, and fludrocortisone
- Antidepressants are a type of medication.
- Asthma medicine;
- Heart or blood pressure medication;
- Headache medication
- Thyroid medicine, such as levothyroid and synthroid
- Drugs to treat high blood pressure or prostate disorders: prazosin, terazosin, or doxazosin
- An mao inhibitor—isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
The list below is not exhaustive. Midodrine may also interact with other drugs, such as prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medicines. This medication guide does not list all interactions.
