Dopamet: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Use

What is Dopamet used for?

Dopamet is a drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This medicine contains the active ingredient Methyldopa which works by reducing certain chemicals in the blood.

By taking this drug, the veins and arteries become more relaxed, so the heart will work more easily and slowly to pump blood. This also allows blood pressure to drop slowly and blood flow to run more smoothly.

Your doctor may be able to prescribe Dopamet for other purposes not described in this article. Please ask the doctor directly for more information.

What are the rules for using Dopamet?

Dopamet is a hypertension drug whose use must be closely monitored by a doctor. This medicine can be taken before or after meals. Ask your doctor when is the best time to consume it.

It is not recommended that you crush, crush, or chew the medicine as this can reduce its effectiveness and lead to dangerous side effects. We recommend that you late the whole drug with a glass of water.

Make sure you take the medicine according to the recommended dosage. Do not add or reduce doses of the drug as this can affect how it works in the body. The dosage of the drug may vary from person to person. That is why you should not give this medicine to other people even if they have similar symptoms.

Use the drug regularly to get optimal benefits. So that you don't forget, take this medicine at the same time every day. If at any time you forget to take your medicine and the next interval in consumption is still far away, it is advisable to do so as soon as you remember. Meanwhile, if the time lag is near, ignore it and don't try to double the dose.

Even though you feel well, keep taking the medication until the time limit prescribed by your doctor. The reason is, high blood pressure often does not cause significant symptoms. You may not feel any pain or excruciating symptoms when the blood pressure is too high. In addition, regularly check blood pressure to monitor your condition.

Immediately go to the doctor if your condition does not improve or is getting worse. The sooner it is treated, the easier the treatment will be. Your doctor may prescribe other more potent and safer drugs to help control your disease.

In principle, take any type of medicinal drug as prescribed by a doctor or stated on the product packaging label. Don't hesitate to ask your pharmacist or doctor directly if you don't really understand the rules for using this drug.

How do you store Dopamet?

Dopamet is a drug that should be stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Dopamet dosage for adults?

To treat hypertension, the dose of the drug Dopamet is 250 milligrams (mg) taken 2-3 times a day. The dose can be increased gradually at intervals of 2 or more days. The maximum dose is 3 grams a day.

Especially for elderly patients, the initial dose is 125 mg orally 2 times a day. The dose can also be increased gradually with a maximum daily dose of 2 grams.

Each person will probably get a different dose. The dosage is usually adjusted according to the age, health condition, and the patient's response to treatment.

Your doctor may change the dose of your medication to make sure you are getting the right dose. You still have to take the medicine as prescribed even though the doctor changes the dose of the drug several times.

Make sure not to take more or less of the drug than recommended. Apart from decreasing the effectiveness of the drug, it can also increase the side effects.

What is the dose of Dopamet for children?

The dosage of the drug in children is adjusted according to their age and body weight. Doctors will also adjust drug doses based on their blood pressure response. Please consult a doctor to find out the exact dose of this drug that is safe for children.

In what dosages and preparations is Dopamet available?

Dopamet is a drug that is available in the form of film-coated tablets with a strength of 250 mg.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Dopamet?

Just like other drugs, this drug also has the potential to cause side effects from mild to severe. Some of the most common side effects that people complain about after taking Dopamet are:

• Sleepy
• Dizzy
• Mild headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dry mouth
• The body is weak and not strong
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty urinating
• Thrush (stomatitis)

Not everyone experiences side effects when using this drug. There may also be some side effects not mentioned above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings & Precautions

What should be known before using Dopamet?

Some things you need to know and do before taking Dopamet are:

• You have an allergy to methyldopa or other antihypertensive drugs.
• You have a history of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, heart failure, kidney disease, or liver disease.
• You are regularly taking prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, potassium supplements, or herbal medicines.
• You are pregnant and breastfeeding.

It's also important to know that this drug can cause dizziness and lightheadedness. Therefore, avoid driving or operating large machinery until the effects of the drug are completely gone. You should also be careful when getting up from lying down or sitting down. Place your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

You are also advised to regularly check your tension. The reason is, hypertension often appears without significant symptoms. That is why, regularly checking blood pressure is something you should not miss.

Is Dopamet safe for pregnant and lactating women?

The safety of this medicine for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and babies is still unknown. Because, there is no research that actually proves that this drug is safe for these various conditions. Therefore, always consult your doctor or midwife before using any medicine. Especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = Maybe risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Because this drug is in category C, you should first consult your doctor to ensure its safety.

Meanwhile, for breastfeeding mothers, there is no clear evidence whether this drug harms the baby or not. To avoid various negative possibilities, do not take this medicine carelessly or without the doctor's permission.

Drug Interactions

What medicines should not be taken at the same time as Dopamet?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

A number of drugs that can interact negatively with the drug Dopamet are:

• Medicines that contain iron (for example, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate, etc.)
• Aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, etc.
• Lithium
• Blood pressure medications such as aliskiren

What foods and drinks should not be consumed while using Dopamet?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your doctor.

Are there certain health conditions that Dopamet should be avoided?

A number of medical conditions that may interact with the drug Dopamet are:

• Liver disease, including cirrhosis
• Impaired kidney function requiring dialysis
• Heart disease
• Angina
• Heart attack
• Stroke

There may be other diseases that have not been mentioned above. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all your medical history during the examination. That way, the doctor can determine other types of drugs that suit your condition.

Overdose

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the emergency medical services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

When someone has an overdose, they will usually experience typical symptoms such as:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you just remember when it's time for the next dose, just ignore the missed dose, and continue taking it as scheduled. Do not use this medication in double doses.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.