Droxidopa (By mouth)
drox-i-DOE-pa
Treats lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
Drug classes
Vasopressor (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Droxidopa is used to treat neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting) caused by primary autonomic failure (eg, Parkinson‘s disease, multiple system atrophy, and pure autonomic failure), dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, and non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Capsule
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Your doctor may tell you to take this medicine after you wake up in the morning, at noon, and in the late afternoon at least 3 hours before bedtime.
You may choose to take this medicine with food or without food, but it is important that you take it the same way each time.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Missed dose: If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how droxidopa works. Tell your doctor if you are using ephedrine, levodopa, midodrine, norepinephrine, or medicine to treat migraine headaches such as triptans.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to droxidopa.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart failure, heart or blood vessel problems, heart rhythm problems, asthma, or an allergy to aspirin.
This medicine may raise your blood pressure and increase your risk for supine hypertension (high blood pressure when you lie on your back). It is best to elevate the head of your bed, and to rest and sleep with your head elevated. You may also need to monitor your blood pressure at home before, during, and after treatment.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blurred vision, severe headache, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, burning or painful urination, lower back or side pain
Confusion or fever
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Headache
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Northera
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
