Hydralazine HCl rapidly disintegrating sublingual tablets: simple dosage form of higher bioavailability and enhanced clinical efficacy for potential rapid control on hypertensive preeclampsia

Background Hypertensive disorders are the most common complication in pregnancy which can even lead to maternal mortality. Hydralazine hydrochloride (HHC), a direct-acting vasodilator, is intravenously used as the first-line therapy in controlling hypertension in pregnancy (preeclampsia). It suffers poor oral bioavailability (26%–50%) due to first-pass metabolism.