Methyldopa : Before Using - Aldomet, Apo-Methyldopa, Nu-Medopa, Dopamet, Novomedopa

Methyldopa - Systemic

Brand Names

Aldomet, Apo-Methyldopa, Nu-Medopa, Dopamet, Novomedopa Methyldopa *** 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, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to methyldopa. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, sulfites or other preservatives, or dyes. Some methyldopa products may contain sulfites. Your health care professional can help you avoid products that may cause a problem.

Pregnancy care

Methyldopa has not been studied in pregnant women in the first and second trimesters - the first 6 months of pregnancy. However, studies in pregnant women during the third trimester - the last 3 months of pregnancy have not shown that methyldopa causes birth defects or other problems.

Breast-feeding problem

Although methyldopa passes into breast milk, it has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Use for Children

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

Elderly care

Dizziness or lightheadedness and drowsiness may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are more sensitive to the effects of methyldopa.

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, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

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 in diseaseds receiving MAO inhibitors; 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. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Angina - chest pain
Parkinson's disease Methyldopa may make these conditions worse

Kidney disease
Liver disease Effects of methyldopa may be increased because of slower removal from the body

Mental depression - history of Methyldopa can cause mental depression

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