hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa

What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

What is hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Methyldopa lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax (widen) and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

• an allergy to sulfa drugs;
• active liver disease (including cirrhosis or hepatitis);
• a history of a liver disorder caused by taking methyldopa; or
• if you are unable to urinate.

To make sure hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease;
• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
• asthma;
• lupus;
• gout; or
• diabetes.

How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes a special diet. Follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. Get familiar with the list of foods you should eat or avoid to help control your condition.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You may also need frequent blood tests.

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include severe weakness or drowsiness, slow heartbeats, feeling light-headed, diarrhea, or vomiting.

What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
• uncontrolled muscle movements;
• unusual thoughts or behavior;
• numbness, tingling, weakness;
• chest pain;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
• signs of an electrolyte imbalance --dry mouth, leg cramps, increased thirst or urination, mood changes, confusion, numbness or tingling, constipation, vomiting, bone pain, muscle pain or weakness, lack of energy, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, little or no urine; or
• severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

• abnormal liver function tests;
• headache, drowsiness, weakness;
• dizziness;
• swelling, weight gain;
• muscle or joint pain, muscle spasms; or
• stuffy nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• cholestyramine or colestipol;
• other blood pressure medications;
• iron supplements;
• digoxin (digitalis);
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
• steroids;
• lithium; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa.

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.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of 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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. 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, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01. Revision date: 8/14/2017.