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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.
The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methyldopa (Apresoline) or hydrochlorothiazide, if you are unable to urinate, or if you have liver disease (including cirrhosis or hepatitis), or a history of liver problems caused by taking methyldopa.
Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
Before using hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or are on dialysis), angina pectoris (chest pain), glaucoma, asthma, gout, lupus, diabetes, an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin, or if you have ever had a stroke.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctors 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.
There are many other drugs that can interact with hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methyldopa (Apresoline) or hydrochlorothiazide, or if you have:

• liver disease (including cirrhosis or hepatitis);
• a history of liver problems caused by taking methyldopa; or
• if you are unable to urinate.

To make sure you can safely take hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• angina pectoris (chest pain);
• glaucoma;
• asthma;
• gout;
• lupus;
• diabetes;
• an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin; or
• if you have ever had a stroke.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• eye pain, vision problems;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• chest pain, slow heart rate, feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
• swelling, rapid weight gain;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, unusual thoughts or behavior, and/or seizure (convulsions);
• numbness, drooping, or loss of movement in one side of your face;
• jerky or rolling muscle movements you cannot control;
• high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss);
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• fever, skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness; 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;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.

Less serious side effects may include:

• stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation;
• depressed mood, trouble concentrating;
• joint pain;
• muscle pain or weakness;
• restless feeling;
• dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
• soreness or black discoloration of your tongue;
• blurred vision; or
• impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

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.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctors 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.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran);
• colestipol (Colestid);
• digoxin (Lanoxin);
• insulin or oral diabetes medication;
• lithium (Eskalith, LithoBid);
• a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Solfoton);
• medicines that contain iron, such as ferrous gluconate (Fergon, Ferralet, Simron), or ferrous sulfate (Chem-Sol, Feosol, Slow Fe, and others);
• muscle relaxers or narcotic pain medicine;
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• other blood pressure medications; or
• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
Conditions that may cause very low blood pressure include: vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Follow your doctors instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while taking hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.
Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are taking medication that contains hydrochlorothiazide. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.
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.

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.
Methyldopa is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Methyldopa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to methyldopa, or if you have liver disease (especially cirrhosis), or a history of liver problems caused by taking methyldopa.
Do not use methyldopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
Before you take methyldopa, tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), heart disease, angina (chest pain), or a history of heart attack or stroke.
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
If you need surgery or a blood transfusion, tell your caregivers ahead of time that you are using methyldopa.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver function may need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to methyldopa, or if you have:

• liver disease (especially cirrhosis); or
• a history of liver problems caused by taking methyldopa.

Do not use methyldopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
To make sure you can safely take methyldopa, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• a history of liver disease;
• heart disease, angina (chest pain); or
• a history of heart attack or stroke.

FDA pregnancy category B. Methyldopa is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Methyldopa passes into breast milk. It is not known whether methyldopa will harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• slow heart rate;
• pale or yellowed skin, fever, confusion or weakness;
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin; or
• muscle movements you cannot control.

Less serious side effects may include:

• weight gain;
• drowsiness, dizziness, weakness;
• headache;
• joint pain or swelling, muscle pain;
• dry mouth;
• vomiting, stomach pain;
• swollen or "black" tongue;
• constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas;
• depressed mood, unusual thoughts, nightmares;
• numbness or tingly feeling;
• stuffy nose;
• missed menstrual periods; or
• breast swelling or discharge.

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.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of methyldopa.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• ferrous gluconate, a type of iron (Ferate, Fergon);
• ferrous sulfate, a type of iron (Feosol, Fer-in-Sol, Feratab, and others);
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); or
• any other blood pressure medications.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with methyldopa. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using methyldopa.
If you need surgery or a blood transfusion, tell your caregivers ahead of time that you are using methyldopa.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver function may need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, vomiting, slow heartbeats, or fainting.
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.