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This medication is used to treat high blood pressure when you cannot take a medication by mouth. Methyldopa injection is also used to treat sudden attacks of very high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis). In that case, it is important to lower the blood pressure quickly to prevent serious (possibly fatal) problems such as heart attack or stroke. This medication must not be used to treat hypertensive crisis that occurs with certain medications (MAO inhibitors). See also Drug Interactions section.Once your blood pressure is under control or when you are able to take medications by mouth, your doctor will change this medication to a form that can be taken by mouth.
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| | Aldomet Ester Hclection
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| Overview | Photos | How
To Use | Side
Effects | Precautions | Missed
Dose | Drug
Interactions | |
Aldomet Ester Hclection
Uses
This medication is used to treat high blood pressure when you cannot take a medication by mouth. Methyldopa injection is also used to treat sudden attacks of very high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis). In that case, it is important to lower the blood pressure quickly to prevent serious (possibly fatal) problems such as heart attack or stroke. This medication must not be used to treat hypertensive crisis that occurs with certain medications (MAO inhibitors). See also Drug Interactions section.Once your blood pressure is under control or when you are able to take medications by mouth, your doctor will change this medication to a form that can be taken by mouth.
Notes
- Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood count, Coombs test, liver function tests) should be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
- Consult your doctor for more details.Lifestyle changes such as starting an exercise program, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, and making diet changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
Storage
- Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Overdose
- Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness, severe weakness, slow heartbeat.
How
To Use - Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids.
- If you have questions about using this medication properly, consult your pharmacist.Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration.
- If either is present, do not use the liquid.This medication is injected into a vein by a health care professional.
- It is injected slowly over 30 to 60 minutes, usually every 6 hours or as directed by your doctor.
- Do not inject in to a muscle or under the skin.The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
- Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped.
- Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
- It is important to continue using this medication even if you feel well.
- Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
- If continuing treatment is needed, your doctor should switch you to a medication taken by mouth as soon as possible.
Side
Effects - Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and weakness may occur.
- If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
- Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.In rare cases, this medication may increase your level of a certain natural substance made by the body (prolactin).
- For females, this increase in prolactin may result in unwanted breast milk, missing/stopped periods, or difficulty becoming pregnant.
- For males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts.
- If you develop these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: swelling of ankles/feet, unexpected/rapid weight gain, unusual bruising/bleeding, involuntary movements, joint/muscle aches, mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression), signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat).Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, change in the amount of urine, vision changes.This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) liver disease or low red blood cells (hemolytic anemia).
- If you notice any of the following unlikely but very serious side effects, tell your doctor immediately: fast heartbeat, persistent nausea, stomach/abdominal pain, unusual tiredness, pale/bluish skin, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
- However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before using methyldopa, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to preservatives (e.g., sulfites); or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
- Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: liver disease (e.g., hepatitis, cirrhosis), history of liver disease caused by medications, history of low blood count caused by medications.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma, low red blood cell count (anemia), a certain genetic condition (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency), heart disease (e.g., chest pain, heart failure), kidney disease, liver disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack, pheochromocytoma, Parkinson's disease.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy.
- Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.Kidney function declines as you grow older.
- This medication is removed by the kidneys.
- Therefore, elderly people may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This medication passes into breast milk.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed
Dose - If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
- If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not double the dose to catch up.
Drug
Interactions - Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
- Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during, and after using methyldopa.
- In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur.If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting methyldopa.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: entacapone, iron products (e.g., ferrous sulfate), levodopa, lithium, stimulants (e.g., ephedrine, street drugs such as methamphetamine), other blood pressure medications (e.g., beta blockers such as propranolol, calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine, ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril, diuretics such as furosemide).Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).
- Avoid any drugs that increase your heart rate (e.g., decongestants such as phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine).
- Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., allergy, cough and cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could cause drowsiness, dizziness, or an increase in your heart rate or blood pressure.
- Ask your pharmacist how to use these products safely.Caffeine may also increase your blood pressure.
- Caffeine can be found in nonprescription diet medications, soft drinks, coffee, and tea.
- Limit caffeine intake.This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (e.g., matching blood), possibly causing false test results.
- Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
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CONDITIONS
OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information
is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions
or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular
drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional
should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or
discontinuing any course of treatment. |
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