Midodrine Side Effects

Severe Side Effects of Midodrine

• Midodrine may cause severe  hypertension when the patient is supine or lying down.  Please see black box warning.
• Midodrine may cause severe stomach pains.
• Severe allergic reactions have been reported by some patients taking Midodrine.
• Some patients have reported painful headaches while taking Midodrine.

Common Side Effects of Midodrine

• The most common side effects are tingling and numbing sensations, itchy skin and rash, involuntary erections in men, and difficulty urinating or urination problems.

Warnings & Recalls for Midodrine

Black Box Warning for Midodrine

• Midodrine may cause a potentially fatal increase in supine blood pressure (while lying down).  Due to this risk, Midodrine should only be used if other drugs have proved ineffective in treating hypotension.

Other Warnings for Midodrine

• The patient should be tested for supine blood pressure increases before and during taking Midodrine.
• Blood pressure should be regularly monitored and checked by a physician if you are taking Midodrine.
• The patient should notify his or her doctor when taking vasoconstrictor drugs such as ephedrine while taking Midodrine.
• The patient should notify his or her doctor when taking beta blocker drugs with Midodrine such as Toprol.
• Patients with urinary retention issues should notify their doctor before taking Midodrine.
• Midodrine may worsen glaucoma and diabetes.
• Midodrine is a pregnancy category class C drug and may be dangerous to take during pregnancy. In animal tests, Midodrine increased the mortality rate of fetal rabbits.
• Those who have a history of high blood pressure, adrenal gland tumors, thyroid disease, difficult urination, heart, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension and visual complications should consult a physician before starting Midodrine.
• Patients using this medication should NOT mix it with: dihydroergotamine, amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, deslanoside, digitoxin, dothiepin, doxepin, ephedrine, imipramine, lofepramine, nortriptyline, opipramol, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, protriptyline, pseudoephedrine, trimipramine, perphenazine, promethazine or risperidone.

Recall

• In March 2012, Sandoz, Inc. issued a recall for Midodrine Hydrochloride 5 mg tablets.  This recall is for the 100 tablet count bottles.  The expiration date on recalled bottles is 06/2013 and the lot number is BT0643.  The recall is due to unreadable logo on tablets and general rough condition of the tablets.  View the FDA enforcement report here.

Midodrine Treatment and Use

Midodrine | ProAmatine is a vasopresser agent prescribed to help raise blood pressure in patients with severe hypotension.  In 2010, the FDA considered recalling the drug, however, Shire Pharmaceuticals, who manufactures the drug, has since complied with the FDA and the drug is still available.  Midodrine is a generic medication manufactured by a few companies including Sandoz Inc.

What does Midodrine do?

Midodrine makes the blood vessels constrict which reduces bloodflow.  This helps to raise blood pressure in the patient.

Dosage

The initial dosage is 10 mg three times a day.  It is ideal to take these medications while active and not in bed or lying down.  Do not take Midodrine four hours before bedtime or before lying down for an extended period of time.  Midodrine is available as 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg tablets.

Other Names for Midodrine

Brand Names

• ProAmatine


• Amatine


• Gutron

Generic

• Midodrine hydrochloride

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Midodrine