Medication Information Leaflet
Methyldopa is used to control high blood pressure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels to allow blood to pass through more easily.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
Most side effects from methyldopa should get better over time as your body adjusts to the medication. Inform your healthcare professional if these side effects do not go away or bother you. Such side effects include:
Inform your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects:
Very rarely, methyldopa may cause blood or liver problems. Stop this medication and see a doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms:
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Some medications may interact with methyldopa and affect its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. However, these medications may also be important for your treatment. Inform your healthcare professional of the other medications you are currently taking. Examples include:
You should take iron products at least two hours before or after methyldopa as taking them together might decrease the absorption of methyldopa into your body.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Last updated on February 2025
This article was last reviewed on Tuesday, March 07, 2023