Methyldopa and Hydrochlorothiazide

The combination of methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure. Methyldopa works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. Hydrochlorothiazide helps to lower blood pressure by eliminating unneeded water and salt from the body.

This medication comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken two or three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. This medication controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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dark urine</li>
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frequent urination</li>
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dry mouth</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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headache</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
gas</li>
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rash</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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<li>
extreme tiredness</li>
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muscle weakness or cramps</li>
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unexplained fever</li>
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yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
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trouble breathing</li>
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swollen ankles or feet</li></ul>This medication may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to methyldopa, hydrochlorothiazide, sulfa medications, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor if you are taking a monoamine oxidase (MAOs) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), Your doctor will probably tell you not to take methyldopa and hydrochlorthiazide. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.Be sure to mention any of the following: cholestyramine (Questran), digoxin (Lanoxin), haloperidol (Haldol), levodopa (Sinemet), lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith), medications for diabetes, prednisone (Deltasone), probenecid (Benemid), and tolbutamide (Orinase). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. if you are taking iron supplements or vitamins containing iron, do not take them at the same time as you take methyldopa and hydrochlorthiazide. Ask your doctor how long you should wait after taking these supplements before you take methyldopa tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, diabetes, gout, or high blood cholesterol. talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide. you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery for 48-72 hours after you begin to take this medication or after your dose is increased. ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide. Alcohol can make the side effects from methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide worse.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.