METHYLDOPA

Brand & Generic Names

Aldomet
Apo-Methyldopa
Dopamet
Novomedopa
Nu-Medopa

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antihypertensive

Uses

Reduces high blood pressure.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Liquid or tablet--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Relaxes walls of small arteries to decrease blood pressure.

Time lapse before drug works:
Continual use for 2 to 4 weeks may be necessary to determine effectiveness.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Drowsiness; exhaustion; stupor; confusion; slow, weak pulse.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Depression, sedation, nightmares, headache, drowsiness, weakness, stuffy nose, dry mouth, fluid retention, swollen feet or legs.

Infrequent:

• Fast heartbeat, fainting.
• Insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, foot and hand numbness and tingling.
• Swollen breasts, diminished sex drive.

Rare:

Rash, jaundice, dark urine, chills, breathing difficulty, unexplained fever, sore or "black" tongue, severe abdominal pain, decreased mental activity and memory impairment, facial paralysis, slow heartbeat, chest pain, swollen abdomen.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have liver disease.

Over age 60:

• Increased susceptibility to dizziness, unsteadiness, fainting, falling.
• Drug can produce or intensify Parkinson's disease.

Pregnancy:
No proven problems. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No proven problems. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not used.

Prolonged use:

• May cause anemia.
• Severe edema (fluid retention).
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), blood pressure, liver function.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
Avoid heavy exercise, exertion, sweating.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
ACE inhibitors*:	Possible excessive potassium
captopril, enalapril,	in blood.
Amphetamines*	Decreased methyldopa effect.
Anticoagulants*,	Increased anticoagulant effect.
Antidepressants,	Dangerous blood pressure rise.
tricyclic (TCA)*	Decreased methyldopa effect.
Antihypertensives*	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Carteolol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Dapsone	Increased risk of adverse effect on
	blood cells.
Didanosine	Increased risk of pancreatitis.
Digitalis	Excessively slow heartbeat.
Diuretics, thiazide*	Increased methyldopa effect.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either drug.
Haloperidol	Increased sedation. Possibly
	dementia.
Isoniazid	Increased risk of liver damage.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
Levodopa	Increased effect of both drugs.
Loxapine	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
MAO inhibitors*	Dangerous blood pressure rise.
Methyprylon	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Nicardipine	Blood pressure drop. Dosages may
	require adjustment.
Nimodipine	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
Norepinephrine	Decreased methyldopa effect.
Pergolide	Decreased pergolide effect.
Phenoxybenzamine	Urinary retention.
Phenylephrine	Decreased methyldopa effect.
Phenylpropanolamine	Decreased methyldopa effect.
Propranolol	Increased blood pressure (rarely).
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.
Sotalol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Sympathomimetic drugs*	Increased risk of heart block and
	high blood pressure.
Terazosin	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin.
Tolbutamide	Increased tolbutamide effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased sedation. Excessive blood
	pressure drop. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Increased risk of heart block and
	high blood pressure.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Possible fainting.
Tobacco:	Possible increased blood pressure.