hydralazine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Very Low
UK/haɪˈdræl.ə.ziːn/US/haɪˈdræl.əˌziːn/

Technical / Medical

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Quick answer

What does “hydralazine” mean?

A medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure by relaxing blood vessels.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure by relaxing blood vessels.

A direct-acting vasodilator of the peripheral arterioles, prescribed for hypertension, hypertensive crises, and as adjunctive therapy in congestive heart failure.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or clinical use. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.

Connotations

Purely clinical; no cultural or regional connotations beyond standard medical practice.

Frequency

Identically low in both dialects, confined to medical and pharmaceutical contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “hydralazine” in a Sentence

The cardiologist prescribed hydralazine for resistant hypertension.Hydralazine is administered (to the patient) (for hypertension).

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
prescribe hydralazinehydralazine therapyintravenous hydralazine
medium
dose of hydralazineside effects of hydralazinerespond to hydralazine
weak
take hydralazinepatient on hydralazinehydralazine treatment

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used in pharmacology, medicine, and clinical research texts.

Everyday

Extremely rare; used only by patients discussing their specific medication with healthcare providers.

Technical

The primary context: medical journals, prescriptions, clinical guidelines, and pharmacy.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “hydralazine”

Strong

Apresoline (brand name)

Weak

blood pressure medication

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “hydralazine”

vasoconstrictorhypertensive agent

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “hydralazine”

  • Misspelling as 'hydralazine', 'hydralazine', or 'hydralazine'.
  • Incorrectly categorizing it as a beta-blocker or diuretic instead of a direct vasodilator.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and, in combination with other drugs, heart failure.

No, it is typically used when other first-line medications are not suitable or in specific situations like hypertensive crises.

It can cause reflex tachycardia (a fast heart rate) and, with long-term use, a lupus-like syndrome.

No, it is a prescription-only medication due to its potency and potential side effects.

A medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure by relaxing blood vessels.

Hydralazine is usually technical / medical in register.

Hydralazine: in British English it is pronounced /haɪˈdræl.ə.ziːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /haɪˈdræl.əˌziːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

HYDRAlazine helps your arteries RELAX: think 'HYDRo-RELAX-ine' for a drug that relaxes blood vessels.

Conceptual Metaphor

A chemical key that unlocks tense blood vessels, allowing them to widen.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In a hypertensive emergency, may be administered intravenously to rapidly lower blood pressure.
Multiple Choice

Hydralazine is primarily classified as a: