High blood pressure is treated with methyldopa. Methyldopa belongs to the group of drugs known as antihypertensives. In order to facilitate easier blood flow throughout the body, it acts by relaxing the blood vessels.

High blood pressure is a common illness that, if left untreated, can harm the kidneys, brain, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, a stroke, renal failure, eyesight loss, and other issues may result from damage to these organs. Making lifestyle modifications will help you control your blood pressure in addition to taking medication. These adjustments include quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating a diet low in fat and salt, keeping a healthy weight, and exercising for at least 30 minutes most days.

Methyldopa is available as a liquid and tablet for oral use. Typically, it is consumed two to four times a day. Take your methyldopa at roughly the same time each day to help you remember to take it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Methyldopa should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Before each dose, thoroughly shake the beverage to equally distribute the medication. To measure the precise amount of liquid for each dose, use a dose-measuring spoon or cup rather than a common household spoon.

Methyldopa can lower blood pressure, but it cannot reverse it. Even if you feel good, keep taking methyldopa. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking methyldopa. Your blood pressure may rise and you may encounter negative effects if you abruptly stop taking methyldopa. Your dose will be gradually reduced by your doctor.

Other prescriptions for this drug are possible. For more information, consult your physician or pharmacist.

Before taking methyldopa,

• If you have any allergies to methyldopa, other drugs, sulfites, or any of the substances in methyldopa tablets or liquid, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. For a list of the ingredients, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Inform your physician if you are using an MAOs inhibitor, such as tranylcypromine (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), phenelzine (Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), and selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) (Parnate). Most likely, your doctor will advise against using methyldopa.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Mention any of the following: tolbutamide, levodopa, lithium, haloperidol (Haldol), levodopa (Sinemet, Stalevo), other high blood pressure drugs, and levodopa. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Take care not to combine iron supplements or iron-containing vitamins.
• If you have kidney or liver problems, including cirrhosis or hepatitis, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking methyldopa.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, discuss the dangers of taking methyldopa with your doctor. Methyldopa is typically not recommended for usage in older persons since it is less safe than alternative drugs that can be used to treat the same issue.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking methyldopa if you are undergoing surgery, including dental surgery.
• You should be aware that this medicine may cause you to feel sleepy. 48 to 72 hours after starting methyldopa or after your dose is raised, avoid operating machinery or driving a car.

Your doctor might advise a low-sodium or low-salt diet. Pay close attention to these guidelines.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Methyldopa could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Muscle tremor
• Swollen feet or ankles
• Stomach pains and vomiting
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Mouth ache
• Rash

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Unidentified fever
• Extreme fatigue
• Skin or eyes turning yellow

Other negative effects of methyldopa are possible. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right once.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store pills away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). The liquid can be kept at ambient temperature or in a refrigerator.

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. You should routinely monitor your blood pressure to see how methyldopa affects you. To keep an eye on your liver health and red blood cell count, your doctor could request specific lab tests.

Your urine may turn dark when exposed to the air while taking methyldopa. This result is unharmful.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.