Methyldopa and Thiazide Diuretics : Before Using

Methyldopa and Thiazide Diuretics - Systemic

Methyldopa and Thiazide Diuretics *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For methyldopa and thiazide diuretics, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to methyldopa, sulfonamides - sulfa drugs, bumetanide, furosemide, indapamide, acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, methazolamide, or thiazide diuretics - water pills. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, sulfites or other preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Studies have not shown that methyldopa causes birth defects or other problems. However, when thiazide diuretics are using during pregnancy, they may cause side effects including jaundice, blood problems and low potassium in the newborn infant. Thiazide diuretics have not been shown to cause birth defects.

Breast-feeding problem

This drug passes into breast milk. Thiazide diuretics may decrease the flow of breast milk. Therefore, you must avoid use of thiazide diuretics during the first month of breast-feeding.

Use for Children

Although there is no special info comparing use of this drug in child with use in other age groups, it is not expected to cause various side effects or problems in child than it does in adults.

Elderly care

Dizziness or light-headedness, drowsiness, or signs of too much potassium loss may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are more sensitive to the effects of methyldopa and thiazide diuretics.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking methyldopa and thiazide diuretics, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Digitalis glycosides - heart drug Thiazide diuretics may cause low potassium in the blood, which can lead to symptoms of digitalis toxicity

Lithium - Lithane chance of lithium overdose, even at usual doses, may be increased

Monoamine oxidase - MAO inhibitor activity - isocarboxazid " Marplan ", phenelzine " Nardil ", procarbazine " Matulane ", selegiline " Eldepryl ", tranylcypromine " Parnate " Taking methyldopa while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking MAO inhibitors may cause nervousness; headache, severe high blood pressure and hallucinations have been reported

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of methyldopa and thiazide diuretics. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Angina - chest pain Methyldopa may worsen the condition

Diabetes mellitus - sugar diabetes Thiazide diuretics may change the amount of diabetes drug needed

Gout - history of Thiazide diuretics may increase the amount of uric acid in the blood, which can lead to gout

High cholesterol Thiazide diuretics may raise cholesterol levels

Kidney disease Effects of methyldopa and thiazide diuretics may be increased because of slower removal from the body. If severe, thiazide diuretics may not work

Liver disease Effects of methyldopa may be increased because of slower removal from the body. If thiazide diuretics cause loss of too much water from the body, liver disease can become much worse

Lupus erythematosus - history of Thiazide diuretics may worsen the condition

Mental depression - history of Methyldopa can cause mental depression

Pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas

Parkinson's disease Methyldopa may worsen the condition

Pheochromocytoma Methyldopa may interfere with tests for the condition; in addition, there have been reports of increased blood pressure

If you have taken methyldopa in the past and developed liver problems