METHYLDOPA & THIAZIDE DIURETICS

Brand & Generic Names

Aldoclor
Aldoril
METHYLDOPA & CHLOROTHIAZIDE
METHYLDOPA & HYDROCHLOROTHIAZ	IDE
Novodoparil
PMS Dopazide

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antihypertensive, diuretic (thiazide)

Uses

• Controls, but doesn't cure, high blood pressure.
• Reduces fluid retention (edema).

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
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.
Forces sodium and water excretion, reducing body fluid.
Reduced body fluid and relaxed arteries lower blood pressure.

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

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

Overdose

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

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:

Irregular heartbeat, Discontinue. Seek weak pulse. emergency treatment.

Common:

Depression, nightmares, drowsiness, weakness, stuffy nose, dry mouth, swollen feet and ankles, dizziness, sedation, increased thirst, muscle cramps.

Infrequent:

• Fast heartbeat, change in vision, abdominal pain, nervousness.
• Insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, constipation.

Rare:

Rash, jaundice, dark urine, chills, breathing difficulty, hives, sore throat, fever, mouth sores, sore or "black" tongue, severe abdominal pain, decreased mental activity, memory impairment, facial paralysis, slow heartbeat, chest pain.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any thiazide diuretic drug.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are allergic to any sulfa drug.
• If you have gout, liver, pancreas or kidney disorder.

Over age 60:

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

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

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:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

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:

• Hot weather and fever may cause dehydration and drop in blood pressure. Dose may require temporary adjustment. Weigh daily and report any unexpected weight decreases to your doctor.
• May cause rise in uric acid, leading to gout.
• May cause blood-sugar rise in diabetics.
• Avoid heavy exercise, exertion, sweating.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Acebutolol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
	Dosages of both drugs may require
	adjustments.
ACE inhibitors*:	Possible excessive potassium in blood.
Allopurinol	Decreased allopurinol effect.
Amphetamines*	Decreased methyldopa effect.
Anticoagulants*,	Increased anticoagulant effect.
Antidepressants,	Dangerous changes in blood pressure.
tricyclic (TCA)*	Avoid combination unless under
	medical supervision.
Antihypertensives*	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Barbiturates*	Increased hydrochlorothiazide
	effect.
Carteolol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Cholestyamine	Decreased hydrochlorothiazide
	effect.
Cortisone drugs*	Excessive potassium loss that
	causes dangerous heart rhythms.
Dapsone	Increased risk of adverse effect
	on blood cells.
Didanosine	Increased risk of pancreatitis.
Digitalis	Excessive potassium loss that causes
preparations*	causes dangerous heart rhythms.
Diuretics, thiazide*	Increased effect of both drugs.
Haloperidol	Increased sedation, possibly
	dementia.
Indapamide	Increased diuretic effect.
Levodopa	Increased effect of both drugs.
Lithium	Increased lithium effect.
MAO inhibitors*	Dangerous blood pressure changes.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Nicardipine	Blood pressure drop. Dosages may
	require adjustment.
Nimodipine	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
Nitrates*	Excessive blood pressure drop.
Norepinephrine	Decreased methyldopa effect.
Phenoxybenzanine	Urinary retention.
Phenylephrine	Decreased methyldopa effect.
Phenylpropanolamine	Decreased methyldopa effect.
Potassium	Decreased potassium effect.
Propranolol	Increased blood pressure (rarely).
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.
Sotalol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Terazosin	Decreased terazosin effect.
Tolbutamide	Increased tolbutamide effect.
Zinc supplements	Increased need for zinc.

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.
Licorice.	Excessive potassium loss that
	causes dangerous heart rhythms.
Marijuana:	May increase blood pressure.
Tobacco:	Possible increased blood pressure.