Methyldopa

Methyldopa is a medicine used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering the blood pressure helps prevent future heart attack and stroke. This medicine is also used to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy. Methyldopa can be taken alone or in combination with other medicines. It can be taken with or without food. You may take it at any time of day but try to take it at the same time each day. You should take this medicine as advised by the doctor and never stop it abruptly without consulting the doctor. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel ill, but if you stop taking this medicine, your condition could get worse. This may lead to your blood pressure rising up again and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. This medicine is only one part of a treatment program which should also include a healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol intake and weight reduction. You can eat normally while taking this medicine, but try to reduce your salt intake. Common side effects of this medicine include headache, weakness, dizziness, and dryness in mouth. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you. Before taking this medicine, it is better to let your doctor know if you are suffering from any kidney or liver disease. Also, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should consult a doctor before taking it. You must inform doctor about all the other medicines that you are taking apart from this medicine. Methyldopa is an alpha-2 agonist. It works by relaxing blood vessels which makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood around the body.

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Methyldopa stimulates alpha 2-adrenoceptors which results in reduced sympathetic tone and fall in BP.

Adult Dose: Oral Hypertension Adult: Monotherapy: Initially, 250 mg bid-tid for 2 days; adjust at intervals of at least 2 days according to response. Maintenance: 500-2,000 mg daily. Max: 3,000 mg daily. Combination therapy: Initial dose should not exceed 500 mg daily in divided doses. Elderly: Initially, 125 mg bid; gradually increase according to response. Max: 2,000 mg daily. Child Dose: Oral Hypertension Child: <12 yr Initially, 10 mg/kg or 300 mg/m2 daily in 2-4 divided doses; adjust at intervals of at least 2 days according to response. Max: 65 mg/kg, 2,000 mg/m2 or 3,000 mg daily, whichever is least. Renal Dose: Renal Impairment Adjust dosage frequency with renal impairment CrCl >50 mL/min: q8hr CrCl 10-50 mL/min: q8-12hr CrCl <10 mL/min: q12-24hr

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Methyldopa may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. Avoid Methyldopa with high protein meals such as cottage cheese, Swiss cheese, protein powder, eggs and milk.

If you miss a dose of Methyldopa, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common: • Dizziness • Fatigue • Sleepiness • Dryness in mouth • Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)

[UNSAFE] Methyldopa may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur. For best results, take Methyldopa at the same time every day. Take last dose of the day at bedtime. May cause dizziness and lightheadedness. If this happens to you, do not drive or use machinery. Your doctor may monitor liver function. Inform your doctor if you notice yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting while taking this medicine. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. Do not discontinue use without consulting your doctor even if you feel better.

Active liver disease (e.g. acute hepatitis, active cirrhosis) or depression. Concomitant use w/ MAOIs.

Reduced hypotensive effects with phenothiazines, TCAs and possibly, amphetamines. Additive hypotensive effects with levodopa; psychosis may also occur. Reduced absorption and effects with oral iron preparations. Reduced doses of general anaesthetics may be required. Effect of ephedrine may be reduced. Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of severe hypertension with MAOIs. Increased lithium toxicity

[CAUTION] Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Methyldopa. Please consult your doctor.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Methyldopa is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Methyldopa is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.

[CAUTION] Methyldopa should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Methyldopa may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Regular blood pressure monitoring is recommended for dose adjustment. [UNSAFE] Methyldopa is probably unsafe to use in patients with liver disease and should be avoided. Please consult your doctor.

Hi Is alphadopa 500 mg safe to eat if 250 mg is not available y r u taking this I am a patient of hypertension Hypertension is clinal condition of high blood pressure. Please see a physician. Some times I had lot of hypertension Hypertension is clinically high blood pressure. Persistent high arterial blood pressure above 120/80 mm HG is termed as pre-hypertension or hypertension, but the point to be emphasized is that this rise in blood pressure is persistent. Transient increase in BP occurs in stress and anxiety and needs to be treated accordingly. High blood pressure, breathing issues Do yoga and pranayam regularly, take halleezy tablet 2 tablet twice Hypertension blood pressure pro Bp any medicine u taking Wait loss and high blood pressure Take medohar guggul 2 tab twice, vrikshamla tablet twice with water, do yoga and pranayam totally impotency due to diabetes and high blood pressure control ur sugars and b.ptake tablet dejac t 1 hr befr sex I m 5 months pregnant n I got high bp from the starting suggest me to take alpha dopa tablet but it&#x27;s not available anywhere only alphadopa l is available which I take but it give me lot of headache kindly suggest me the good medicine for high bp my bp is always around 140/100 Kindly go and consult physician