methyldopa at a glance
Medicine class
Centrally acting antiadrenergic antihypertensive
Licensed use
Moderate to severe high blood pressure
How it is taken
Film-coated tablets taken by mouth exactly as prescribed
Driving
Drowsiness, dizziness or light-headedness can impair driving and machinery use
What is methyldopa used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Moderate to severe hypertension.
Pregnancy-associated hypertension is a well-established clinical context, although pregnancy is not a separate licensed indication for this product.
How does methyldopa work?
Methyldopa is converted to alpha-methylnoradrenaline. This acts in the central nervous system to reduce signals that constrict blood vessels, lowering blood pressure; reduced renin activity may also contribute.
methyldopa preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg
How to take methyldopa
Take the tablets by mouth exactly as directed by the prescriber. Do not change the amount taken or stop treatment without advice, as blood pressure can rise again after withdrawal.
Tell the prescriber if troublesome drowsiness, dizziness or faintness develops.
Avoid driving or operating machinery when affected.
Tell surgical or dental teams that you take methyldopa before an anaesthetic.
The selected tablets contain lactose.
methyldopa side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness or tiredness, especially after starting treatment or a change in prescription
- Dizziness, light-headedness or faintness, particularly on standing
- Headache or weakness
- Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation or diarrhoea
- Nasal congestion
- Swelling caused by fluid retention
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic reaction with breathing difficulty, hives or facial, lip, tongue or throat swelling
- Hepatitis or jaundice, sometimes with fever
- Haemolytic anaemia or other blood-cell disorders
- Chest pain, very slow heartbeat, heart block, myocarditis or pericarditis
- Severe blistering or peeling skin reaction
- Pancreatitis or colitis
- New or worsening depression, psychosis or uncontrolled movements
methyldopa in pregnancy
Methyldopa has extensive experience in pregnancy and can be used when recommended by a doctor to control hypertension. Available human information has not raised concern about harm in the womb, but treatment still requires obstetric or prescriber review. It is commonly changed soon after birth because continued postnatal use may increase the risk of low mood or depression.
methyldopa while breastfeeding
Methyldopa passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding may be possible following an individual assessment, but treatment should be reviewed after birth because another antihypertensive may be more suitable and methyldopa has been associated with postnatal depression.
methyldopa interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all prescribed, non-prescription and complementary products. Important interactions include:
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Concurrent use is contraindicated.
Iron supplements, including ferrous sulphate or ferrous gluconate
Iron can reduce methyldopa absorption and potentially weaken blood-pressure control.
Lithium
Combined use requires careful monitoring for lithium toxicity.
Other antihypertensives and diuretics
Common questions about methyldopa
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is methyldopa used for?
The selected product is licensed to treat moderate to severe high blood pressure.
Can methyldopa be taken during pregnancy?
Yes, when recommended and supervised by a doctor. It has extensive pregnancy experience without evidence of harm to the baby in the womb.
Can I breastfeed while taking methyldopa?
Breastfeeding may be possible after an individual assessment, but the medicine enters breast milk and postnatal treatment should be reviewed with the prescriber.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.