methyldopa
Methyldopa is an oral tablet that's used to treat high blood pressure. It belongs to a group of medications called alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. Because it doesn't last long in your body, it must be taken a few times a day. Methyldopa is preferred over other medications for treating high blood pressure during pregnancy. Some potential side effects include sleepiness, headache, and weakness.
What is Methyldopa?
What is Methyldopa used for?
How Methyldopa works
Methyldopa is an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. It works by signaling the brain to cause your blood vessels to relax. This makes it easier for blood to flow and lowers your blood pressure.
Drug facts
Side effects of Methyldopa
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Temporary sleepiness
- Temporary dizziness
- Temporary weakness
- Temporary headaches
- Dry mouth
- Trouble getting or maintaining an erection
Less Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Gas
- Swelling
- Depression
- "Pins and needles" sensation
- Muscle pain
- Lowered sex drive
- Weight gain
Methyldopa serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Breakdown of red blood cells: tiredness, dizziness, weakness, headache, chills, paleness, fainting
- Liver damage: severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, pale stools, dark urine, severe bloating in the stomach area, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
The following Methyldopa side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Fever, shortly after starting to take this medicine
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Swelling of feet or lower legs
Rare
Dark or amber urine
diarrhea or stomach cramps (severe or continuing)
fever, chills, troubled breathing, and fast heartbeat
general feeling of discomfort or illness or weakness
joint pain
pale stools
skin rash or itching
stomach pain (severe) with nausea and vomiting
tiredness or weakness after having taken this medicine for several weeks (continuing)
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Drowsiness
dryness of mouth
headache
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Methyldopa
Pros
- Dose can be adjusted based on response
- Safe to use if you're pregnant
- Comes in two different strengths
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Has many possible side effects
- Must be taken 2 to 4 times a day
- Not a first-choice option for treating high blood pressure
- Not safe if you have liver problems
Pharmacist tips for Methyldopa
- You can take methyldopa with or without food. Nausea is a possible side effect of this medication, so if this happens to you, take your doses with something to eat.
- For the most consistent results, take methyldopa at the same times every day.
- It's common to feel sleepy and dizzy when starting methyldopa or after a dose change. These side effects usually improve after a week or two on the same dose. Be careful changing positions during this time, as doing so too quickly can cause you to fall. Let your prescriber know if the side effects are bothersome.
- Methyldopa commonly causes dry mouth. There are mouthwashes, lozenges, and sprays that can help lessen this feeling. Ask your pharmacist if you need help selecting one of these products.
- Let your prescriber know if you're taking any antidepressants or medications for Parkinson's disease. Some of these medications interact with methyldopa and can cause dangerously high blood pressure.
Common questions about Methyldopa
Yes, methyldopa is available with a prescription from a healthcare professional. It's currently only available as a generic.
No, methyldopa isn't a beta blocker. It's an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. Both types of medications can treat high blood pressure, but they do so in different ways.
Methyldopa starts working around 2 to 3 hours after taking a dose. But it can take 4 to 6 hours to fully kick in to lower your blood pressure.
Methyldopa lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 13 mmHg / 8 mmHg. Keep in mind that everyone will respond to the medication differently. How well it works for you can also depend on the dose you're taking. Methyldopa isn't a first-choice treatment for high blood pressure because newer medications work just as well or better and don't need to be taken as often.
Many blood pressure medications, including methyldopa, can cause erectile dysfunction (ED). ED has been reported by some people taking methyldopa in small studies. This usually happens within the first few days of starting the medication, and goes away within 2 weeks of stopping it. If you're experiencing sexual problems, talk to your prescriber and don't stop taking your blood pressure medication until you do so.
Yes. Methyldopa is considered a safe medication for treating high blood pressure in pregnancy. It isn't known to cause harm to unborn babies and can actually prevent problems that would be life-threatening to both mothers and their babies.
Depression is a possible side effect of methyldopa. While it doesn't appear to raise the risk of depression for most people, it's known to raise the risk of postpartum depression for people who take this medication during pregnancy. This is because it might lower mood-boosting chemicals in the brain. If you're experiencing any changes to your mood or behavior since starting this medication, speak with your care team.
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Risks and warnings for Methyldopa
Methyldopa can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Liver problems
- Risk factors: History of or current liver problems
Although rare, methyldopa can cause serious liver problems. In some cases, this can be life-threatening. Because of this, people with liver problems shouldn't take this medication. Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments and complete any blood tests ordered so your care team can track your liver function. If you experience any unusual vomiting, pale stools, dark urine, stomach pain, or yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes, seek medical attention right away.
Breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia)
- Risk factors: Positive Coombs test | Using methyldopa for a long time
Although very rare, taking methyldopa for a long time can cause a serious condition called hemolytic anemia. This life-threatening problem causes your body to destroy your red blood cells faster than they can be replaced. This typically happens between 6 and 12 months after starting methyldopa. If you're going to be taking this medication for a long time, you'll have to get regular blood tests done to watch for early signs of this condition.
Low white blood cell and platelet count
Rarely, methyldopa can lower the number of white blood cells and platelets in your body. White blood cells help your body fight infections, and without enough of them, you can get sick more easily and take longer to recover. Platelets help your blood clot to stop bleeding. You'll have to have blood tests done regularly while you're taking methyldopa to make sure your blood cells are at a normal level. If you experience changes in your blood cells, know that it's reversible. These side effects will go away once you stop taking the medication.
Methyldopa dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250mg | 60 tablets | $16.21 | $0.27 |
| 500mg | 60 tablets | $47.03 | $0.78 |
Typical dosage for Methyldopa
- Adults: The typical starting dose is 250 mg by mouth 2 to 3 times a day. This can be raised to a maximum of 3,000 mg total per day, which would be split into 2 to 4 smaller doses taken throughout the day.
- Children: The typical starting dose is 10 mg/kg of body weight by mouth total per day. This total dose will be split up into 2 to 4 smaller doses taken throughout the day. This can be raised to a maximum of 65 mg/kg of body weight or 3,000 mg per day, whichever is less.
Interactions between Methyldopa and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Brofaromine
- Clorgyline
- Furazolidone
- Iproniazid
- Isocarboxazid
- Lazabemide
- Linezolid
- Moclobemide
- Nialamide
- Pargyline
- Phenelzine
- Procarbazine
- Rasagiline
- Selegiline
- Toloxatone
- Tranylcypromine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Entacapone
- Iobenguane I 131
- Pseudoephedrine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alprenolol
- Bisoprolol
- Ferric Ammonium Citrate
- Haloperidol
- Iron
- Phenylpropanolamine
- Sotalol
- Timolol
How much does Methyldopa cost?
$16.21
Methyldopa contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Methyldopa will not be safe for you to take.
- Liver problems
- Also taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
What are alternatives to Methyldopa?
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