Midodrine (Systemic)
Brand Names : ProAmatine
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be
weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor
will make. For midodrine, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to midodrine. Also tell your health care professional if
you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or
dyes.
Pregnancy - Midodrine has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in animals have shown that large doses of midodrine can cause
reduced body weight in rat fetuses and decreased survival in rabbit fetuses.
Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant
or may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known if midodrine passes into breast
milk. However, it has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children - This medicine has been tested in a limited number
of children 6 months to 12 years of age. In effective doses, the medicine
has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does
in adults.
Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been shown
to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it dose in
younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
midodrine, it is especially important that your health care professional know
if you are taking any of the following:
-
Digitalis glycosides (e.g., Lanoxin) - Effects on the heart may
be increased
-
Steroids that cause sodium retention, such as fludrocortisone (e.g.,
Florinef) or
-
Vasoconstricting medication, such as dihydroergotamine (e.g., Migranal),
and ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine (ingredients
in many cough/cold combination products) - Effects on blood pressure may
be increased
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of midodrine. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Heart disease, severe or
-
Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
-
Overactive thyroid or
-
Visual problems - Effects of midodrine on blood pressure may
aggravate these problems
-
Kidney disease or
-
Liver disease - Effects of midodrine may be increased because
of slower removal of the medicine from the body
-
Urinary retention - Effects of midodrine on the bladder may aggravate
this condition
|