Methyldopa
- Generic Name: methyldopa
- Brand Name: Methyldopa Tablets
Methyldopa Tablets (methyldopa) side effects drug center
Methyldopa Side Effects Center
What Is Methyldopa?
Methyldopa is an antihypertensive indicated to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Methyldopa is available in generic form. Side effects of methyldopa tend to occur early in therapy or when a dose is increased and are temporary and mild. Common side effects of methyldopa include:
- drowsiness,
- headache,
- lack of energy, or
- weakness.
What Are Side Effects of Methyldopa?
Dosage for Methyldopa
The usual starting dosage of methyldopa tablets is 250 mg two to three times a day in the first 48 hours. The daily dosage then may be increased or decreased, preferably at intervals of not less than 2 days, until an adequate response is achieved.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Methyldopa?
Methyldopa may interact with other antihypertensive drugs, anesthetics, lithium, ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Methyldopa During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using methyldopa; it is not expected to harm a fetus. Methyldopa passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Additional Information
Our Methyldopa Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
Methyldopa Consumer Information
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
- uncontrolled or involuntary muscle movements;
- heart problems--swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; or
- signs of liver or pancreas problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects may include:
- drowsiness;
- weakness; or
- headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Methyldopa (methyldopa)
Methyldopa Professional Information
SIDE EFFECTS
Sedation, usually transient, may occur during the initial period of therapy or whenever the dose is increased. Headache, asthenia, or weakness may be noted as early and transient symptoms. However, significant adverse effects due to methyldopa have been infrequent and this agent usually is well tolerated.
The following adverse reactions have been reported and, within each category, are listed in order of decreasing severity.
Cardiovascular: Aggravation of angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, prolonged carotid sinus hypersensitivity, orthostatic hypotension (decrease daily dosage), edema or weight gain, bradycardia.
Digestive: Pancreatitis, colitis, vomiting, diarrhea, sialadenitis, sore or “black” tongue, nausea, constipation, distension, flatus, dryness of mouth.
Endocrine: Hyperprolactinemia.
Hematologic: Bone marrow depression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia; positive tests for antinuclear antibody, LE cells, and rheumatoid factor, positive Coombs test.
Hepatic: Liver disorders including hepatitis, jaundice, abnormal liver function tests (see WARNINGS).
Hypersensitivity: Myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis, lupus-like syndrome, drug-related fever, eosinophilia.
Nervous System/Psychiatric: Parkinsonism, Bell's palsy, decreased mental acuity, involuntary choreoathetotic movements, symptoms of cerebrovascular insufficiency, psychic disturbances including nightmares and reversible mild psychoses or depression, headache, sedation, asthenia or weakness, dizziness, light-headedness, paresthesias.
Metabolic: Rise in BUN.
Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, with or without joint swelling; myalgia.
Respiratory: Nasal stuffiness.
Skin: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, rash.
Urogenital: Amenorrhea, breast enlargement, gynecomastia, lactation, impotence, decreased libido.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Methyldopa (methyldopa)
&Copy; Methyldopa Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Methyldopa Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.