Methyldopa

Description

Methyldopa is an antihypertensive which is used to reduce the blood pressure by acting on the central nervous system. Iron-containing products may reduce the absorption of this medicine. Close monitoring of blood pressure and liver function is necessary.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Methyldopa

  • Fever
  • Swelling of feet
  • Anxiety
  • Diarrhea
  • Joint pain
  • Skin rash
  • Yellow colored eyes or skin
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Dry mouth

Uses of Methyldopa

What is it prescribed for?

  • Hypertension
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed in 3 to 6 hours after an oral dose and 4 to 6 hours after an intravenous dose.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 12 to 24 hours after an oral dose and 10 to 16 hours after an intravenous dose.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendencies have been reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is recommended for pregnant women.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is recommended in breastfeeding women.

Allergy

Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Methyldopa.

Liver Disease

Not recommended in patients with the history of liver disease.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is recommended for pregnant women.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is recommended in breastfeeding women.
General warnings

Liver injury

This medicine is not recommended in patients with the liver disease. The baseline of liver function tests should be obtained before starting the treatment. The treatment should be discontinued if the liver enzymes are elevated.

Anemia

This medicine may cause anemia. It is advised to perform the blood cell count before starting the treatment. Inform the doctor if any symptoms of breathing difficulty and pale skin appear.

Missed Dose

The missed dose should be taken as soon possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it's already time for your next scheduled dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Clozapine

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Iron-containing products

Disease interactions

Disease

Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions

Coombs test

Methyldopa may cause positive Coombs test, therefore inform the doctor about the usage of this medicine before performing this test.
Take Methyldopa as instructed by the doctor. Do no take larger amounts than prescribed. It is advised not to take this medicine with iron supplements. Monitoring of liver function and blood cell count is necessary.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by stimulating the inhibitory receptors in the central nervous system and reduces the blood pressure.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting

Schedule

Schedule H

Methyldopa - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 2 June 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00968

DailyMed - METHYLDOPA- methyldopa tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 2 June 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=bb1c7c3f-9e6f-4d0e-aea1-6974558659ef

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 2 June 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/24717

Methyldopa dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more [Internet]. Reference.medscape.com. 2017 [cited 2 June 2017]. Available from:

http://reference.medscape.com/drug/aldomet-methyldopa-342385

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 2 June 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

TOXNET [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 2 June 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~5FkxuY:1

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Information on this page was last updated on 4 Jul 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.