Methyldopa
Also sold as: Aldomet
Prescription neededOther blood pressure medicines
Comes as:Tablet
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose, including in pregnancy: 250 mg two or three times a day, increased slowly as set by your doctor; maximum 3 g a day.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- sleepiness
- tiredness
- dry mouth
- headache
- blocked nose
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- yellow eyes or skin
- fever with tiredness (liver inflammation)
- anaemia (pale skin
- breathlessness)
- low mood
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Active liver disease
- Depression
- After giving birth (other medicines are usually preferred because of depression risk)
- Phaeochromocytoma (a rare adrenal tumour)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Moderate3 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Ferrous sulfate
Iron reduces absorption of methyldopa; take them at least 2 hours apart.
- Lithium carbonate
Methyldopa can increase lithium side effects.
- Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine can raise blood pressure and reduce the effect of methyldopa.