What Is Methyldopa?
Methyldopa is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Methyldopa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to methyldopa, or if you have liver disease (especially cirrhosis), or a history of liver problems caused by taking methyldopa.
Do not use methyldopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
Before you take methyldopa, tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), heart disease, angina (chest pain), or a history of heart attack or stroke.
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
If you need surgery or a blood transfusion, tell your caregivers ahead of time that you are using methyldopa.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver function may need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to methyldopa, or if you have:
- liver disease (especially cirrhosis); or
- a history of liver problems caused by taking methyldopa.
To make sure you can safely take methyldopa, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- a history of liver disease;
- heart disease, angina (chest pain); or
- a history of heart attack or stroke.
Methyldopa passes into breast milk. It is not known whether methyldopa will harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Methyldopa Side Effects
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- slow heart rate;
- pale or yellowed skin, fever, confusion or weakness;
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
- feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
- swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
- easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin; or
- muscle movements you cannot control.
- weight gain;
- drowsiness, dizziness, weakness;
- headache;
- joint pain or swelling, muscle pain;
- dry mouth;
- vomiting, stomach pain;
- swollen or "black" tongue;
- constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas;
- depressed mood, unusual thoughts, nightmares;
- numbness or tingly feeling;
- stuffy nose;
- missed menstrual periods; or
- breast swelling or discharge.
Methyldopa Interactions
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of methyldopa.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
- ferrous gluconate, a type of iron (Ferate, Fergon);
- ferrous sulfate, a type of iron (Feosol, Fer-in-Sol, Feratab, and others);
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); or
- any other blood pressure medications.
Methyldopa Dosage
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using methyldopa.
If you need surgery or a blood transfusion, tell your caregivers ahead of time that you are using methyldopa.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver function may need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, vomiting, slow heartbeats, or fainting.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Methyldopa Pictures
