Part Two of Aldomet Information, Focusing on Side Effects, Discontinuation or Withdrawal Effects, and Additional Information

This second section of our medication database entry focuses on potential side effects, withdrawal or discontinuation effects, and additional information, while part one covers basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits.

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What are the possible side effects of methyldopa?

  • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking methyldopa and seek emergency medical attention:
    • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
    • a very slow heart rate (fewer than 60 beats per minute);
    • unusually high or low blood pressure (fainting, a severe headache, flushing of your face);
    • chest pain;
    • uncontrollable movements of your arms, legs, or facial muscles;
    • yellowing of your skin or eyes; or
    • unusual bleeding or bruising.
  • Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take methyldopa and talk to your doctor if you experience
    • unusual fatigue, dizziness, or tiredness;
    • headache;
    • constipation, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
    • insomnia; or
    • dry mouth (sucking on ice chips or sugarless hard candy may relieve this side effect).
  • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect methyldopa?

  • Do not take methyldopa if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or if you have taken one in the last 14 days. MAOIs, used to treat depression, include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
  • Before taking methyldopa, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
    • lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others);
    • haloperidol (Haldol);
    • levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa, Sinemet);
    • tolbutamide (Orinase);
    • a respiratory medicine such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, Volmax, others), pirbuterol (Maxair), or salmeterol (Serevent);
    • a beta-blocker such as carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), pindolol (Visken), or timolol (Blocadren);
    • a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), perphenazine (Trilafon), fluphenazine (Prolixin), or thioridazine (Mellaril);
    • a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or secobarbital (Seconal); or
    • a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).
  • You may require special monitoring or a dose adjustment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
  • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with methyldopa or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

  • Your pharmacist has additional information about methyldopa written for health professionals that you may read.
  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations and the Source of Our Online Medication Information Database

Although we have made considerable efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, MedLibrary.org makes no guarantee to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This medication information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend any specific pharmacotherapy. This is an educational resource only -- intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of medically qualified healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. MedLibrary.org does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 4.05. Revision Date: 2/14/03.

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