Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa

Generic name: Hydrochlorothiazide And Methyldopa
Dosage form: oral tablet (25 mg-250 mg)
Drug class: Antiadrenergic agents (central) with thiazides

Usage of Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa

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) and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa side effects

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

Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

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

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

severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;

shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

uncontrolled muscle movements;

unusual thoughts or behavior;

numbness, tingling, weakness;

chest pain;

easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

signs of an electrolyte imbalance--dry mouth, leg cramps, increased thirst or urination, mood changes, confusion, numbness or tingling, constipation, vomiting, bone pain, muscle pain or weakness, lack of energy, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, little or no urine; or

severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa may include:

abnormal liver function tests;

headache, drowsiness, weakness;

dizziness;

swelling, weight gain;

muscle or joint pain, muscle spasms; or

stuffy nose.

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.

Before taking Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa

Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa if you have used an 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.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to methyldopa or hydrochlorothiazide, or if you have:

an allergy to sulfa drugs;

active liver disease (including cirrhosis or hepatitis);

a history of a liver disorder caused by taking methyldopa; or

if you are unable to urinate.

To make sure hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

liver disease;

pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);

asthma;

lupus;

gout; or

diabetes.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial doses (as determined by titration of the individual components):-Hydrochlorothiazide 15 mg-Methyldopa 250 mg orally 2 or 3 times a day, OR-Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-Methyldopa 250 mg orally twice a day, OR-Hydrochlorothiazide 30 to 50 mg-Methyldopa 500 mg orally once a dayMaximum dose: Hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/dayComments:-This drug is not indicated for initial therapy. Dosage must be individualized, as determined by titration of the individual components.-Initiate dose increases in the evening to minimize sedation.-Tolerance to methyldopa may occur, usually between the second and third month of therapy. Additional separate doses of methyldopa or replacement of this drug with the individual components may be required.-If this drug is given with antihypertensives other than thiazides, the initial dose of methyldopa should be limited to 500 mg a day in divided doses.

Warnings

You should not use this medication if you have an allergy to methyldopa (Apresoline), hydrochlorothiazide, or to other sulfa drugs; if you are unable to urinate; if you have ever had a liver disease; if have had a liver disorder caused by taking methyldopa.

Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and 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.

What other drugs will affect Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa

Taking hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa with other drugs that make you dizzy or lower your blood pressure can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, opioid pain medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

cholestyramine or colestipol;

other blood pressure medications;

iron supplements;

digoxin (digitalis);

insulin or oral diabetes medicine;

steroids;

lithium; or

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

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