Do you feel dizzy and black out when you get up? Let's talk about the drug Droxidopa

Have you ever had this happen to you? When you get out of bed or suddenly stand up from a chair, your vision goes black, your head spins, and you feel like you're going to fall. This happens to many people. The main reason for this is that your blood pressure suddenly drops when you change your position. So, a special medicine that we're talking about today is Droxidopa, which is given to control these symptoms.

What kind of medicine is Droxidopa really?

Simply put, Droxidopa is a medicine that reduces symptoms such as dizziness, blue eyes, and a feeling that you are about to black out, which occur when you suddenly change position, for example, when you stand up from a sitting position.

Imagine, when we suddenly stand up from sitting, some of our blood pools in our legs due to gravity. Normally, the nervous system of a healthy person quickly recognizes this, increases the heart rate a little, constricts the blood vessels, and prevents the amount of blood going to the brain from decreasing. However, in people with certain medical conditions, this automatic process does not happen properly. What Droxidopa does is help this process by converting itself into a chemical that constricts the blood vessels in the body. As a result, blood flow to the brain is restored and the aforementioned symptoms are reduced.

What are the things I need to tell the doctor before taking this medicine?

Before you start using Droxidopa, there are a few things you should tell your doctor. Don't hide these, because they are very important for your safety.

• If you have heart disease .
• If you have had an irregular heartbeat before.
• If you have an allergic reaction to Droxidopa, tartrazine, aspirin, or any other medicine, food, dye, or preservative.
• If you are pregnant or expecting a baby .
• If you are a breastfeeding mother .

By giving your doctor this kind of information, he can make an accurate decision about whether this medication is right for you or whether the dosage needs to be changed.

How exactly should I use this medicine?

This is also very important. To get the most out of the medicine, you need to use it correctly.

• Take this medicine orally with a glass of water .
• Try to take it at the same time every day , exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• This medication is usually prescribed three times a day. In the morning, upon waking, during the day, and in the evening, but it should be taken at least 3 hours before going to bed . If you take this medication at night, your blood pressure may increase unnecessarily while you are sleeping.
• Do not break, crush, or chew this medicine. Swallow it whole.
• You can take it with or without food. However, take it every day as you started . That is, if you started taking it before meals, take it every day before meals. If you started taking it after meals, take it every day after meals.
• Continue using it until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop suddenly.

Can this medicine be given to small children?

Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to children. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to a child, talk to your pediatrician about it.

What to do if you overdose?

If you think you have taken more of this medicine than you should, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

Are there any other medications that should not be used with this medicine?

Yes, absolutely. Droxidopa can interact with some other medications. So, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, traditional medicines, vitamins, and even herbal products.

In particular, Droxidopa should not be taken with the following medications:

• Ergot alkaloids (e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine - these are medicines used for migraines)

Also, the following medications may interact with Droxidopa. Therefore, if you are taking these, be sure to tell your doctor.

• Some medications for mental illness called MAOIs (e.g. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate).
• Triptan medications (e.g. sumatriptan, rizatriptan) used for migraines.
• Some cold medicines (e.g. medicines containing phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine).
• Linezolid is an antibiotic.
• Stimulant medications for attention deficit disorder, weight loss, or insomnia.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Like any medicine, Droxidopa can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. The important thing is to know what the dangerous symptoms are and what the normal symptoms are.

What should I be especially careful about when taking the medicine?

• Visiting the doctor: Visit your doctor on your scheduled appointments so he or she can check how the medication is affecting you.
• Check your blood pressure: As your doctor tells you, measure your blood pressure at home. It's important to know what your blood pressure is when you're sitting, standing, and lying down . Also, know when to call your doctor.
• Sleeping position: When you sleep and rest, sleep with your head and upper body elevated above the rest of your body. This can help control the unnecessary increase in pressure at night.
• Other medications: Do not take over-the-counter medications for coughs, colds, or pain without first checking with your doctor. Some medications can increase your blood pressure.

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