This medication is used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. Methyldopa blocks certain natural chemicals (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine) that can raise your blood pressure.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 2 to 4 times daily or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Usually this medication is started at a low dose and increased slowly to the best dose for you. It may take several weeks for your doctor to determine the best dosage for controlling your blood pressure.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.

It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.

Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medication when you start or stop using other blood pressure medications.

To avoid injury related to dizziness or fainting, take your first dose at bedtime. Also, anytime the dosage of this drug is changed, take your first new dose at bedtime.

Learn how to monitor your blood pressure while taking this medication. This will help you and your doctor make sure the medication is working well.

When this medication is used for an extended time, it may not work as well, and you may need a higher dose or a different medication. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well (e.g., your blood pressure readings increase).

Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nasal congestion, and weakness may occur, especially when you start this medication and when your dose is increased. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

In rare cases, this medication may increase your level of a certain natural substance made by the body (prolactin). For females, this increase in prolactin may result in unwanted breast milk, missing/stopped periods, or difficulty becoming pregnant. For males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts. If you develop these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: swelling of ankles/feet, unexpected or rapid weight gain, unusual bruising or bleeding, involuntary movements, joint/muscle aches, mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression), signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat).

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat.

This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) liver disease. If you notice any of the following unlikely but very serious side effects, tell your doctor immediately: persistent nausea, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking methyldopa, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: liver disease (e.g., hepatitis or cirrhosis), a history of liver disease caused by medications.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: low red blood cell count (e.g., hemolytic anemia), certain genetic conditions (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency), heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack, pheochromocytoma, Parkinson's disease.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.

Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.

This medication passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during and after taking methyldopa. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur. If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting methyldopa.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: entacapone, levodopa, lithium, iron products, other blood pressure medications (e.g., beta blockers such as propranolol, calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine, ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril, diuretics such as furosemide).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., allergy, cough and cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could cause drowsiness, dizziness, or an increase in your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

Caffeine may increase your blood pressure. Caffeine can be found in nonprescription diet medications, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Limit caffeine intake.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (e.g., matching blood), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood count, Coombs test, liver function tests) should be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Lifestyle changes such as starting an exercise program, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, and making diet changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call Medic Alert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.