About methyldop a
Centrally acting alpha-2 agonist antihypertensive
Used for
- High blood pressure, including during pregnancy
Usual adult dose
Usually 250 mg two or three times daily initially; adjusted as needed, up to 3 g daily.
Usual dose in children
Usually 10 mg/kg daily in two to four doses initially; adjusted as needed, up to 65 mg/kg daily or 3 g, whichever is lower.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness or dizziness
- Weakness or headache
- Dry mouth
- Liver problems or blood disorders, rarely
Important warnings
- May cause sleepiness; use caution with activities requiring alertness.
- Rarely causes serious liver injury or blood disorders.
- May cause dizziness when standing, especially when treatment starts.
- Do not stop suddenly without medical guidance.
Pregnancy
Used for high blood pressure during pregnancy when clinically appropriate; extensive experience has not shown an increased risk of birth defects.
Breastfeeding
Usually compatible with breastfeeding; small amounts enter milk, and infant effects are unlikely.
Interactions
- Iron supplements can reduce methyldopa absorption.
- Lithium may reach higher levels and increase toxicity risk.
- Other blood-pressure medicines may increase blood-pressure-lowering effects.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors may cause serious interactions.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.