What is hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent
your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methyldopa or
hydrochlorothiazide, or if you have:
-
liver disease (including cirrhosis or hepatitis);
-
a history of liver problems caused by taking methyldopa;
-
if you are unable to urinate; or
-
if you are have taken an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.
Before using methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if
you have:
-
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
-
angina pectoris (chest pain);
-
asthma or allergies;
-
gout;
-
lupus;
-
diabetes; or
-
an allergy to sulfa drugs.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk and could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to
be checked on a regular basis. You may also need blood tests. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell
any doctor who treats you that you are using a thiazide diuretic.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you
feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store the tablets at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
Your pharmacist has information about hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side
effect such as:
-
dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting;
-
feeling drowsy, restless, or light-headed;
-
chest pain, fast or uneven heartbeat;
-
muscle pain or weakness;
-
jerky or rolling muscle movements that you cannot control;
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confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
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skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness;
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painful or difficult urination;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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swelling in your face, stomach, hands, or feet;
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a red, blistering, peeling skin rash;
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pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion
or weakness; or
-
joint pain or swelling with fever, chest pain, or tired
feeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
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mild nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation;
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soreness or black discoloration of your tongue;
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headache;
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dizziness, spinning sensation;
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muscle or joint pain; or
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blurred vision.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methyldopa (Apresoline) or
hydrochlorothiazide, if you are unable to urinate, or if you have liver disease (including cirrhosis
or hepatitis), or a history of liver problems caused by taking methyldopa.
Do not take this medication if you are have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.
Before using methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you have kidney
disease (or are on dialysis), angina pectoris (chest pain), asthma or allergies, gout, lupus,
diabetes, an allergy to sulfa drugs, or if you have ever had a stroke.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow
your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases,
drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
There are many other medicines that can interact with methyldopa and
hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with
you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who
treats you.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you
feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of methyldopa
and hydrochlorothiazide.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow
your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases,
drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
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lithium;
-
medicines that contain iron, such as ferrous gluconate
(Fergon, Ferralet, Simron), or ferrous sulfate (Chem-Sol, Feosol, Slow Fe, and others);
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digoxin (Lanoxin);
-
steroids (prednisone and others);
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other blood pressure medications;
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate);
-
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as
aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve,
Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others; or
-
insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and
over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and
drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your
doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?
