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Methyldopa/HCTZ

Methyldopa/HCTZ Side Effects

Yen Nguyen, PharmDMichelle Nguyen, PharmD
Reviewed by Yen Nguyen, PharmD, Michelle Nguyen, PharmD
Last reviewed on January 19, 2022

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 headache
  • Temporary weakness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Dizziness
  • Sensitivity to light

Less Common Side Effects

  • Swelling
  • Weight gain
  • Slow heart rate
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Lightheadedness
  • Pins and needles feeling
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Stuffy nose
  • Rash
  • Absent period
  • Breast enlargement
  • Lower sex drive

Methyldopa/HCTZ serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Electrolyte imbalance: dry mouth, extreme thirst, weakness, tiredness, sleepiness, restlessness, confusion, seizures, muscle pain or cramps, low blood pressure, trouble urinating, irregular heart beat, nausea, or vomiting
  • Hemolytic anemia: paleness of skin, dark urine, fever, weakness, confusion, or yellowing of eyes and skin
  • Liver damage: unsual vomiting, pale stools, dark urine, stomach pain, or yellowing of the eyes and skin

Source: DailyMed

The following Methyldopa/HCTZ 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:

Rare

Unexplained fever shortly after starting to take this medicine

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Signs and symptoms of too much potassium loss

Dry mouth

increased thirst

irregular heartbeats

muscle cramps or pain

nausea or vomiting

unusual tiredness or weakness

weak pulse

Less common

Mental depression or anxiety

nightmares or unusually vivid dreams

Rare

Cough or hoarseness

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

lower back or side pain

painful or difficult urination

pale stools

skin rash, hives, 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

Dizziness or light-headedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position

drowsiness

dryness of mouth

headache

Less common

Decreased sexual ability or interest in sex

diarrhea

increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight (skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of skin or severe sunburn after exposure to sunlight)

loss of appetite

numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet

slow heartbeat

stuffy nose

swelling of breasts or unusual milk production

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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