Brand Names

How to Use

In addition to the use of the drug your family doctor has prescribed, treat for your high blood pressure may include weight control and care in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your family doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You must check with your family doctor before changing your diet.

Many diseaseds who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. The best for you that you take your drug exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your family doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that methyldopa will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down You may have to take high blood pressure drug for the rest of your life . If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

To help you remember to take your drug, try to get into the habit of taking it at the same time each day.

Dosage

The number of tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the drug.

• For oral dosage form - suspension or tablets:
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 250 milligrams - mg to 2 grams a day. This is divided into two to four doses.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight or size and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg per kilogram - kg - 4.5 mg per pound of body weight a day. This is divided into two to four doses. Your family doctor may increase the dose as needed.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 250 to 500 mg mixed in 100 milliliters - mL of solution - 5% dextrose and slowly injected into a vein every six hours as needed.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose is 20 to 40 mg per kg - 9.1 to 18.2 mg per pound of body weight. This is mixed in a solution - 5% dextrose and slowly injected into a vein every six hours as needed.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Keep the oral liquid form of this drug from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.