What is Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
Methyldopa reduces blood pressure by lowering the level of certain chemicals. This allows the blood vessels to relax and widen (to become wider), allowing your heart to beat slower and more easily.Hydrochlorothiazide helps prevent the body from absorbing excessive salt. This can lead to fluid accumulation.Combination medicine Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa are used to treat hypertension.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide.
Side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
Both methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- If you notice a pale or yellowed complexion, dark urine, fever, or confusion, then it is time to seek medical attention.
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Nausea, vomiting, and a rapid heart rate.
- Rapid weight gain, swelling, and shortness of breath even with mild exercise;
- Uncontrolled muscle movements
- Unusual thoughts or behaviors
- Numbness, tingling, weakness;
- Chest pain;
- Easy bruising and unusual bleeding
- Signs of electrolyte deficiency: dry mouth; leg cramps; increased thirst or urination; mood changes or confusion. Constipation. Vomiting and bone pain, muscle or joint pain.
- Severe skin reaction: fever, sore neck, swelling of your face or tongue Burning in your eyes. Skin pain is followed by a purple or red rash that spreads to the face and upper body and causes blistering.
Some of the common side effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide or methyldopa include:
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Headache, drowsiness, weakness;
- Dizziness;
- Weight gain or swelling;
- Muscle spasms or joint or muscle pain
- Stuffy nose.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
This medication should not be used if you have an allergic reaction to Apresoline (methyldopa) or other sulfa medications. You also shouldn't use it if: you can't urinate; you have a history of liver disease; or if methyldopa has caused a liver disorder.
If you've taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days (such as isocarboxazid or linezolid), phenelzine rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine, do not take hydrochlorothiazide with methyldopa.
Before you take this drug
If you've taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, do not take hydrochlorothiazide or methyldopa. Drug interactions can occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), phenelzine (phenelzine injection), rasagiline (selegiline), methylene blue injection, tranylcypromine, and others.
This medicine should not be used if:
- An allergy to sulfa drugs
- Active liver disease (including cirrhosis and hepatitis);
- A history of liver disease caused by methyldopa use;
- If you're unable to urinate,
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that hydrochlorothiazide or methyldopa will be safe for you:
- Kidney disease (or dialysis if you have it);
- Liver disease
- Pheochromocytoma
- Asthma;
- Lupus;
This medicine is not known to harm an unborn child.Inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or considering becoming pregnant.Breast milk can contain methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide, which may have side effects on the baby. This medicine should not be used while breastfeeding.Anyone younger than 18 is not allowed to use methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide.
How to take Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Your doctor may alter the dosage from time to time.Use hydrochlorothiazide or methyldopa only at the recommended dose.A complete treatment program may include methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide, as well as a special dietary plan. Your doctor or nutritionist will have created a diet plan for you. Learn which foods to eat and avoid in order to control your conditionYou will also need frequent blood tests. Blood tests may be required frequently.It can produce unusual results in certain medical tests. Tell your doctor that you use hydrochlorothiazide (methyldopa) and methyldopa.This medicine may cause you to have very high blood pressure. If you have diarrhea or vomiting, call your doctor. Hydrochlorothiazide or methyldopa can be dangerous if you have a prolonged illness that leads to an electrolyte imbalance.Tell the surgeon in advance if you will need surgery. Your healthcare provider may advise that you temporarily cease taking the medication.
If you have high blood pressure and don't feel any symptoms, you should continue taking the medication. It is possible that you will need to take blood pressure medications for the rest of your life.Store away from moisture, heat, and light at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial doses (determined by titration) of each component:
OR-Hydrochlorothiazide (15 mg)-Methyldopa (250 mg) orally, 2 or 3 times per day.
OR-Hydrochlorothiazide, 25 mg;-Methyldopa, 250 mg, twice daily.
-Hydrochlorothiazide between 30 and 50 mg; -Methyldopa, 500 mg once daily.
Maximum dose: hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/day
Comments:
This drug is not recommended for initial treatment. The dosage must be determined individually by titration.
Increase doses in the evening to reduce sedation.
Tolerance to methyldopa can occur between the second and third months of therapy. It may be necessary to add additional doses of methyldopa or replace this drug with its individual components.
If this drug is used with other antihypertensives than thiazides, the first dose of methyldopa must be restricted to 500 mg a day, divided into two doses.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you recognize a missed dose, take it immediately. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Reach out for assistance immediately or call 1-800-222-1222.Overdose symptoms include drowsiness or severe weakness, a feeling of lightheadedness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
What should be avoided?
Drink enough fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated during exercise or in hot weather. You should follow your doctor's advice on the amount and type of fluids to drink. Drinking too much liquid is as dangerous as not drinking enough.
Interaction with other drug
Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, opioid pain medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for"anxiety. -type="auto" href="https://www.drugs.com/cg/depression.html ">depression/a> or a methyldopa Before taking sleeping pills, opioid pain medicines, muscle relaxers, or medications for anxiety, depression, or seizures, ask your doctor.Tell your doctor if you are taking any new medications or if you will stop using any of your current ones.
- Cholestyramine, or colestipol.
- Other blood pressure medications
- Iron supplements;
- Digoxin (digitalis);
- Insulin, or oral diabetes medication
- Steroids;
- Lithium
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and indomethacin are all nsaids.
This list is incomplete. Hydrochlorothiazide, methyldopa, and other drugs can interact. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.
