Methyldopa lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax (widen).

Methyldopa is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Methyldopa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use methyldopa if you have liver disease (especially cirrhosis), or a history of liver problems caused by taking methyldopa.

Do not use methyldopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your liver function may also need to be checked.

Keep using methyldopa as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Methyldopa can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using methyldopa.

If you need surgery or a blood transfusion, tell your caregivers ahead of time that you are using methyldopa.

Methyldopa doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 250 mg orally 2-3 times a day or 250 to 500 mg IV over 30 to 60 minutes every 6 hours, up to a maximum of 3 g/day.

Maintenance dose: 500 mg to 2 g orally divided in 2 to 4 doses, up to a maximum of 3 g/day.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertensive Emergency:

250 to 500 mg IV over 30 to 60 minutes every 6 hours up to a maximum of 1 g every 6 hours or 4 g/day. Switch to the oral route at the same dosage once blood pressure is under control.

You should not use methyldopa if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• liver disease (especially cirrhosis); or

• a history of liver problems caused by taking methyldopa.

Do not use methyldopa if you have used a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• heart disease, angina (chest pain); or

• a heart attack or stroke.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether methyldopa will harm an unborn baby. However, having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications such as diabetes or eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of treating hypertension may outweigh any risks to the baby.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, vomiting, slow heartbeats, or fainting.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). The liquid may be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Your doctor may prescribe a low-salt or low-sodium diet. Follow these directions carefully.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Methyldopa may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;

• uncontrolled or involuntary muscle movements;

• heart problems--swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; or

• signs of liver or pancreas problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of methyldopa may include:

• drowsiness;

• weakness; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate, or other medicine that contains iron;

• lithium; or

• any other blood pressure medications.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect methyldopa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to methyldopa. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to monitor your red blood cell count and liver function.

Methyldopa may cause your urine to darken when it is exposed to air. This effect is harmless.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Aldochlor® (containing Chlorothiazide, Methyldopa)