Droxidopa

Droxidopa helps by narrowing blood vessels and raising blood pressure.

Droxidopa is used to treat low blood pressure that leads to severe dizziness or a feeling of being light-headed, as if you might faint.

droxidopa is for people with nervous system conditions that can lead to low blood pressure (like Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, autonomic failure, and others).

Droxidopa may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to ensure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Droxidopa is usually taken 3 times per day, as follows: first dose in the morning when you wake up; second dose at mid-day; third dose in the late afternoon or at least 3 hours before you go to bed. The timing of your doses is very important in helping to maintain a healthy blood pressure while you are taking droxidopa. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

You may take droxidopa with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open a droxidopa capsule. Swallow it whole.

Droxidopa 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 heart attack or stroke, which may be fatal.

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 droxidopa, or whenever your dose is changed. Check your blood pressure while you are lying down, and check it again with your head elevated.

Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits if you use droxidopa for longer than 2 weeks.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Droxidopa can raise your blood pressure even when you are lying down. You might need to keep your head lifted while you sleep to help avoid high blood pressure. Follow your doctor's guidance on how to position yourself while lying down or sleeping.

Your blood pressure must be checked before starting treatment with droxidopa, during treatment, or whenever your dose changes. Measure your blood pressure while lying down, and then check it again with your head elevated.

You should not use droxidopa if you are allergic to it.

To make sure droxidopa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease;
• history of heart attack or stroke;
• high blood pressure;
• kidney disease;
• asthma, or a history of severe allergic reaction to aspirin, especially aspirin triad syndrome; or
• if you are allergic to yellow food dye.

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

It is not known if droxidopa passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Droxidopa is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Stop taking droxidopa and get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Droxidopa can cause serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• severe dizziness or feeling light-headed;
• confusion, fever;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• dangerously high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, ringing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, seizure; or
• severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, rapid or irregular heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might faint.

Common side effects of droxidopa may include:

• headache, dizziness;
• nausea; or
• increased blood pressure.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Contact your doctor for medical advice regarding side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypotension:

Initial dose: 100 mg orally 3 times daily upon arising in the morning, at midday, and in the late afternoon at least 3 hours prior to bedtime (to reduce the potential for supine hypertension during sleep)Titration: Titrate to symptomatic response, in increments of 100 mg 3 times daily every 24 to 48 hours.Maximum dose: 600 mg orally 3 times daily (i.e., a maximum total daily dose of 1800 mg)Duration of therapy: Effectiveness beyond 2 weeks of treatment has not been established.Comments:-Supine blood pressure should be monitored prior to initiating and after increasing the dose of droxidopa.-Droxidopa must be administered consistently, either with food or without food.-Capsules should be swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed. General Use: For the treatment of orthostatic dizziness, lightheadedness, or the "feeling that you are about to black out" in adult patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) caused by primary autonomic failure (Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and pure autonomic failure), dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, and nondiabetic autonomic neuropathy.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your bedtime is less than 3 hours away, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not take the medicine less than 3 hours before bedtime.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid taking the medicine less than 3 hours before bedtime.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any that you start or stop using, especially:

• linezolid.

This list does not cover everything. Other drugs may interact with droxidopa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are included in this medication guide.