Methyldopa: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Methyldopa?

What is Methyldopa for?

Methyldopa is a drug used to control high blood pressure (hypertension). To treat high blood pressure, your doctor can prescribe this drug alone or in combination with other drugs.

This drug works by reducing the levels of certain chemicals in the blood, allowing the veins and arteries to widen. By taking this medicine, your heart will work more slowly and blood flow can flow more smoothly.

In addition to treating hypertension, this drug can also be used to prevent strokes, heart attacks, and impaired kidney function.

How do I take Methyldopa?

Methyldopa is a class of strong drugs whose use must be closely monitored by a doctor. This medication can be taken before or after meals, usually 2 to 4 times a day. Ask your doctor when is the best time and how much you should take it.

This drug is available in the form of film-coated tablets. Leave the medicine on the tongue and let it disperse on its own. Do not attempt to crush, crush, or chew the medicine, as this can reduce its effectiveness and lead to dangerous side effects.

Make sure you take the medicine according to the recommended dosage. Do not use larger, smaller, or longer amounts than recommended.

The dosage is adjusted to the health condition and the patient's response to treatment. That is why, the dosage of the drug for each may be different. You are not advised to give this medicine to other people even if they complain of symptoms similar to yours.

In order to get maximum results, use the medicine regularly at the same time every day. Make reminders in a special notebook or in the application provided on your phone.

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.

While using this medicine, you may need to regularly check your blood pressure. This is done to ensure that the drug is working optimally. Your doctor may also ask you to undergo certain medical tests to ensure that your kidneys and liver are functioning normally.

Also, do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. Stopping medication suddenly can make your condition worse. So, keep using this medication as directed, even if you feel well.

In essence, pay close attention to the information provided by the doctor or printed on the product packaging label. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist again if you don't really understand how to use it.

How is Methyldopa stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, 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.

Methyldopa dosage

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

What is the dose of Methyldopa for adults?

To lower blood pressure, the starting dose of Methyldopa is 250 milligrams (mg) taken by mouth 2-3 times a day. Gradually the dose can be increased at intervals of 2 or more days. The maximum dose is 3 grams per 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.

The dosage can be different for each person. This is because the dosage is usually adjusted 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 according to the rules even if the doctor changes the dose of the drug several times.

Make sure you are not taking 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 dosage of Methyldopa for children?

The dosage for children has not been determined. Consult your doctor for more information.

In what dosage is Methyldopa available?

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

Methyldopa side effects

Side effects only side effects of the drug Methyldopa?

Here are some of the most common and frequently complained of Methyldopa side effects:

• Sleepy
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Body limp and lethargic
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sprue
• Dry mouth
• Mild gastrointestinal disturbances
• Diarrhea
• Nasal congestion
• Skin rash
• Difficulty urinating

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Methyldopa Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Methyldopa?

Some things you need to know and do before using the drug Methyldopa are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to methyldopa or other high blood pressure medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for the list of ingredients that make up this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking monoamine oxidase (Maos) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
• In essence, tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you are currently taking or will be taking regularly. Whether it's prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, to natural remedies made of herbal ingredients.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have a history of kidney and liver disease, including cirrhosis.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are going to have surgery, including dental surgery.

This medicine is not recommended for the elderly or elderly. Because, this drug can potentially cause side effects that may be dangerous for them.

It is also important to know that this drug can cause drowsiness and lightheadedness. Therefore, avoid driving or operating large machinery until the effect of the drug is 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. This is done to avoid the risk of happening when you wake up.

While using this drug, your doctor may ask you to check your blood pressure regularly. The reason is, hypertension often appears without significant symptoms. That is why, regularly checking blood pressure is something you should not miss.

Is Methyldopa 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.

Methyldopa Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Methyldopa?

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

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• Ferrous gluconate, a type of iron (Ferate, Fergon)
• Ferrous sulfate, types of iron (Feosol, Fer-in-Sol, Feratab, etc.)
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• Other blood pressure medications

Can food or alcohol interact with methyldopa?

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 health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with Methyldopa?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems:

• Angina (chest pain)
• Parkinson's disease
• Kidney disease that requires the patient to undergo dialysis procedures
• Liver disease, including cirrhosis
• Mental depression
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Hypersensitivity to methyldopa

Methyldopa 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.