Droxidopa may contribute to or exacerbate supine hypertension, a condition in which you have high blood pressure while flat on your back, which raises your chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke. To lower the risk of supine hypertension, you should raise the head of your bed when relaxing or sleeping and take droxidopa at least three hours before bed. Before beginning therapy, whenever your dose is changed, and frequently while you are taking droxidopa, you should have your blood pressure tested.

The dangers of taking droxidopa should be discussed with your doctor.

Droxidopa is used to treat the signs and symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, including dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting (a sudden fall in blood pressure that occurs when a person assumes a standing position caused by certain nervous system conditions). Alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists are a group of drugs that includes droxidopa. Norepinephrine, a naturally occurring chemical in the body, is increased, which is how it functions.

Droxidopa is available as a pill to be swallowed. Typically, it is taken three times each day (morning, midday, and late afternoon). Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Droxidopa should be used as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Do not break, chew, or crush the capsules; instead, swallow them whole.

Droxidopa will likely be prescribed to you at a low dosage by your doctor, who will then likely progressively raise it every one to two days.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking droxidopa,

• If you have any of the following allergies: droxidopa, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow food colour found in some processed foods and drugs), other medications, or any of the chemicals in the capsule, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Any of the following should be mentioned: ephedrine; carbidopa (Lodosyn, in Parcopa, in Sinemet, in Stalevo); drugs for nausea or mental disease; migraine treatments such almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt); sumatriptan (Orvaten). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Asthma, coronary artery disease (blockage or constriction of the blood vessels leading to the heart), an irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or heart or kidney problems should all be disclosed to your doctor.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking droxidopa.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Ignore the missed dose and carry on with my normal dosing routine. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Droxidopa might have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these symptoms, or seek emergency care:

• Confusion
• High fever
• Muscular rigidity
• Uncontrollable movements that are peculiar
• Alterations in consciousness, thought, or conduct

Further negative effects of droxidopa are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from light, excessive heat, and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.