Effect of food on the absorption of hydralazine in man.

Single oral doses of hydralazine (Apresoline) 50 mg were administered on two occasions to eight healthy volunteers when fed and fasting. Blood and saliva samples were taken at intervals after dosing and analysed for drug. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and at intervals after dosing, at rest, after tilt and exercise. Plasma hydralazine levels showed wide inter-individual variation. The areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (0-8 h), the height of the peak plasma levels and the time to peak were not significantly different between the fed and fasting state. Salivary hydralazine levels were readily measurable but showed little correlation with plasma levels. The heart rate and pulse pressure were increased after drug both at rest, supine and erect, and after exercise for between 6 and 8 h.