Methyldopa/Hydrochlorothiazide (By mouth)
meth-il-DOE-pa, hye-droe-klor-oh-THYE-a-zide
Treats high blood pressure. This medicine is a combination of an antihypertensive (blood pressure medicine) and a diuretic (water pill).
Drug classes
Alpha-Adrenergic Agonist/Thiazide Combination, Antihypertensive, Cardiovascular Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide combination is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.
Methyldopa works by controlling nerve impulses along certain nerve pathways. As a result, it relaxes blood vessels so that blood passes through them more easily. Hydrochlorothiazide helps reduce the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine. These actions help to lower blood pressure.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about any special diet. You may need to eat foods that are high in potassium (such as oranges or bananas) to prevent potassium loss while you are using this medicine.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using digoxin (Lanoxin®), entacapone (Comtan®), lithium, pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®), or an MAO inhibitor (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®).
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to methyldopa, hydrochlorothiazide, or to sulfa drugs. You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate, or if you have liver disease, especially if it was caused by using methyldopa.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, Parkinson‘s disease, diabetes, gout, lupus, pancreatitis, or a history of mental depression.
This medicine may make you drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
If you stop using this medicine, your blood pressure may go up. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Chest pain (may be related to your disease and not a side effect)
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, problems urinating, nausea or vomiting
Lightheadedness or fainting
Severe diarrhea
Trouble breathing
Unexplained fever
Unusual weakness or tiredness
Yellow eyes or skin
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Depressed mood
Numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet
Problems having sex
Stuffy nose
Swelling of the breasts
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Aldoril
There may be other brand names for this medicine.