Methyldopa

About Methyldopa

This belongs to the group of medicines known as antihypertensives.

Methyldopa is used to treat high blood pressure.

Many patients with high blood pressure do not notice any signs of the problem. Many feel quite normal. However, it is important to carry on taking this medicine regularly even if you feel OK.

Methyldopa is available in tablet form.

It is also sometimes known as: Aldomet. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Before Taking Methyldopa

Before taking Methyldopa make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
• if you suffer from kidney or liver disease, depression, phaeochromocytoma, porphyria or Parkinson's disease
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine

How to Take Methyldopa

• Take methyldopa exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Do not stop taking methyldopa without first speaking to your doctor.
• Methyldopa is usually taken two or three times a day.
• Try to take this medicine at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
• Do not take more than your doctor has told you to. If you suspect you or someone else has taken an overdose of methyldopa contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you if possible, even if it is empty.
• Methyldopa is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be checked. Your doctor may want to adjust the dose that you are taking.
• Do not stop taking this medicine without first discussing it with your doctor.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine. Methyldopa can add to the effects of alcohol.
• If you take this for high blood pressure and you want to purchase an 'over-the-counter' medicine then check with your pharmacist about medicines that will be safe for you.
• Methyldopa can cause some people to become drowsy or less alert than they are normally. This is more likely to happen when you begin to take it or when the amount you are taking is increased. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machinery, or do other jobs that could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting may occur, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help, but if the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
• Methyldopa may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief try sucking sugarless sweets or chewing gum, melting bits of ice in the mouth or using a saliva substitute. If dry mouth persists for more than two weeks, check with your dentist. Continued dryness of the mouth can increase the chance of tooth decay, gum disease, and infections.
• Before having any medical tests, tell those persons carrying out the tests that you are taking this medicine. The results of some of the tests may be affected by methyldopa.
• Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
• If you get a fever and there seems no reason for it, or if you develop skin rashes, contact your doctor at once. This is especially important during the first few weeks of treatment, since fever and rashes may be a sign of an allergic reaction to this medicine.

Can Methyldopa cause problems?

Along with its needed effects methyldopa can cause unwanted effects. These may go away as the body adjusts to the medicine speak with your pharmacist or doctor if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Drowsiness, headache, weakness, pins and needles, dizziness, light-headedness, depression, fluid retention, feeling or being sick, constipation, diarrhoea, dry mouth, sore or 'black' tongue, rashes, nasal stuffiness, sexual problems, parkinsonism (trembling or muscle stiffness), nightmares or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).

If you experience any other worrying or troublesome side effects discuss them with your pharmacist.

How to store Methyldopa

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light and heat.
• Do not keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2005   Updated: 27/09/2002