METHYLDOPA & THIAZIDE DIURETICS |
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METHYLDOPA & THIAZIDE DIURETICS
BRAND & GENERIC NAMES
Aldoclor
Aldomet
Aldoril
Dopamet
Medimet-250
Novodoparil
Novomedopa
PMS Dopazide
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Antihypertensive, diuretic
(thiazide)
USES
Controls, but doesn't cure, high blood pressure.
Reduces fluid retention (edema).
DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Tablet -- Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble
tablet and take with liquid or food.
When to take:
At the same times each day.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2
hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Relaxes walls of small arteries to decrease blood pressure.
Forces sodium and water excretion, reducing body fluid.
Reduced body fluid and relaxed arteries lower blood pressure.
Time lapse before drug works:
Continual use for 2 to 4 weeks may be necessary to determine
effectiveness.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Drowsiness; exhaustion; cramps; weakness; stupor; confusion;
slow, weak pulse; coma.
WHAT TO DO:
Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
If the child is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to-
mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage
and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make the child
vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take the child to nearest
emergency facility.
See EMERGENCY INFORMATION.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO
Life-threatening:
Irregular heartbeat, Discontinue. Seek
weak pulse. emergency treatment.
Common:
Depression, nightmares, Continue. Call doctor
drowsiness, weakness, when convenient.
stuffy nose, dry mouth,
swollen feet and ankles,
dizziness, sedation.
Infrequent:
Fast heartbeat, Discontinue. Call
change in vision, doctor right away.
abdominal pain,
nervousness.
Insomnia, nausea, Continue. Call doctor
vomiting, diarrhea, when convenient.
headache, constipation.
Rare:
Rash; jaundice; Discontinue. Call
hives; sore throat, doctor right away.
fever, mouth sores;
sore or "black" tongue;
severe abdominal pain;
decreased mental
activity; memory
impairment; facial
paralysis; slow
heartbeat; chest pain;
drug-induced systemic
lupus erythematosus.
Weight gain or Continue. Call doctor
loss. when convenient.
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to any thiazide diuretic drug.
If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental
surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you are allergic to any sulfa drug.
If you have gout, liver, pancreas or kidney disorder.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Infants & children:
Don't give to infants or young children unless prescribed and
monitored by your physician.
Prolonged use:
May cause anemia.
Severe edema (fluid retention).
Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or
sunlamp.
Driving or hazardous activities:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb
ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you
drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes,
such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine,
narcotics and mind-altering drugs.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses
of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
Hot weather and fever may cause dehydration and drop in blood
pressure. Dose may require temporary adjustment. Weigh daily and
report any unexpected weight decreases to your doctor.
May cause rise in uric acid, leading to gout.
May cause blood-sugar rise in diabetics.
Avoid heavy exercise, exertion, sweating.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
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| Acebutolol |
Increased antihypertensive effect. |
| |
Dosages of both drugs may require |
| |
adjustments. |
| ACE inhibitors: |
Possible excessive |
| captopril, enalapril, |
potassium in blood. |
| lisinopril (see Drugs |
| Glossary) |
| Allopurinol |
Decreased allopurinol effect. |
| Amphetamines |
Decreased methyldopa |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
| Anticoagulants (oral, |
Increased |
| see Drugs Glossary) |
anticoagulant effect. |
| Antidepressants, |
Dangerous changes in |
| tricyclic (TCA, |
blood pressure. Avoid |
| see Drugs Glossary) |
combination unless under medical |
| |
supervision. |
| Antihypertensives |
Increased |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
antihypertensive effect. |
| Barbiturates |
Increased |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
hydrochlorothiazide effect. |
| Cholestyamine |
Decreased hydrochlorothiazide |
| |
effect. |
| Cortisone drugs |
Excessive potassium loss that |
| |
causes dangerous heart rhythms. |
| Digitalis |
Excessive potassium |
| preparations |
loss that causes dangerous |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
heart rhythms. |
| Diuretics (thiazide, |
Increased effect of |
| see Drugs Glossary) |
both drugs. |
| Haloperidol |
Increased sedation, possibly |
| |
dementia. |
| Indapamide |
Increased diuretic effect. |
| Levodopa |
Increased effect of both drugs. |
| Lithium |
Increased lithium effect. |
| MAO inhibitors |
Dangerous blood- |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
pressure changes. |
| Nitrates |
Excessive |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
blood-pressure drop. |
| Phenobenzanine |
Urinary retention. |
| Potassium |
Decreased |
| supplements (see |
potassium effect. |
| Drugs Glossary) |
| Propranolol |
Increased blood pressure (rarely). |
| Tolbutamide |
Increased tolbutamide effect. |
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
| Marijuana: |
May increase blood pressure. |
| Tobacco: |
Possible increased blood pressure. |
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