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Methyldopa and Hydrochlorothiazide (Methyldopa / Hydrochlorothiazide) - Summary

 
 



WARNING

This fixed combination drug is not indicated for initial therapy of hypertension. Hypertension requires therapy titrated to the individual patient. If the fixed combination represents the dosage so determined, its use may be more convenient in patient management. The treatment of hypertension is not static, but must be re-evaluated as conditions in each patient warrant.

 

SUMMARY

This fixed combination product combines two antihypertensives: methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide.

Methyldopa and Hydrochlorothiazide (METHYLDOPA/HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE) is indicated for the following:

Hypertension - (see box WARNING).


See all Methyldopa and Hydrochlorothiazide indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Methyldopa and Hydrochlorothiazide (Methyldopa / Hydrochlorothiazide)

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of enalapril plus hydrochlorothiazide plus methyldopa vs standard triple therapy in the treatment of moderate to severe hypertension: results from a multicentre study. [1990]
We report the results of a randomized, double-blind, parallel group multicentre study in 120 patients with moderate to severe hypertension, comparing two different types of antihypertensive treatment: a) the standard 'triple therapy' with hydrochlorothiazide, propranolol and hydralazine, and b) the combination of an ACE inhibitor, enalapril with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and methyldopa...

[Efficacy and acceptability of rilmenidine in mild to moderate arterial hypertension. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial, in comparison with methyldopa in 157 patients]. [Article in French] [1989]
A dissociation between the hypotensive activity and the central side effects has been demonstrated with rilmenidine (RIL) in previous studies. The object of this trial was to compare RIL with methyldopa (MD) during a 12 weeks' treatment (Day 0 to Day 84) and after stopping therapy (Day 84-Day 91)...

Combination of a thiazide, a vasodilator and reserpine compared with methyldopa plus hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of hypertension in Zimbabwe. [1990]
Brinerdin (Sandoz), a combination of a diuretic (clopamide 5 mg), a vasodilator (dihydro-ergocristine 0.5 mg) and reserpine (0.1 mg) (CDR) was compared with methyldopa (MD) plus hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) for antihypertensive effect, adverse reactions, compliance and patient preference in an open cross-over trial...

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Clinical Trials Related to Methyldopa and Hydrochlorothiazide (Methyldopa / Hydrochlorothiazide)

A Comparison of Compliance Between Clonidine Patch and Methyldopa for the Treatment of Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy [Terminated]
High blood pressure (BP) before pregnancy is called chronic hypertension (CHTN), and is associated with an increased risk of development of pregnancy related high BP called preeclampsia, preterm delivery, decreased growth of the fetus, fetal death, premature separation of the placenta from the uterus resulting in damage to the fetus and cesarean delivery. Longer duration and severity of CHTN in pregnancy leads to worse outcomes for the mother and the fetus. Treatment of mild CHTN in pregnancy does not improve these outcomes, and therefore, medications to lower BP are used for moderate to severe hypertension. To date the literature on the medications used in pregnancy is extremely limited. Methyldopa is used as a first choice medicine for CHTN in pregnancy. It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) by relaxation of the blood vessels leading to a decrease in BP. It does not decrease the blood flow to the uterus, placenta, or the fetus (4). Methyldopa is a weak antihypertensive medicine given three or four times a day and frequently needs changes in the dose or may require an additional medication to control BP. This may lead to a greater chance of non compliance. Another option is Clonidine which is an effective antihypertensive treatment and is available in many forms (oral, parenteral, and transdermal.) It acts on the maternal CNS. Clonidine is not associated with teratogenic or neonatal side effects. Transdermal clonidine (catapres-TTSĀ®) is a preparation of clonidine hydrochloride that can be released and absorbed transdermally over a 7-day period. The study will determine differences in compliance between the two antihypertensive regimens- oral methyldopa and Catapres-TTS, comparisons of patient tolerability, compliance and adequacy of BP control, as well as provide information on an alternate option for BP control.

Effect of Methyldopa on MHC Class II Antigen Presentation in Type 1 Diabetes [Recruiting]
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which segments of the immune system cause the destruction of insulin producing cells in the pancreas, leaving individuals with an impaired ability to control blood glucose levels. Currently there is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes and the treatments involve lifelong insulin administration and careful monitoring of blood glucose levels. Long-term complications like cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, and retina damage, may result. Previous studies have shown that improvement in the control of blood glucose can reduce the risks from these long-term complications. Residual insulin production, typically within the first few years following diagnosis, helps to reduce an individual's need to supplement insulin by injection or pump. This effect helps in maintaining the body's ability to regulate blood glucose levels and reducing the needs of external insulin. Methyldopa, or Aldomet, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is commonly used to treat high blood pressure. This drug has been approved for several decades and has been shown to be safe and effective. This drug has been identified by the researcher to be able to block the communication between two important types of immune cells; which play a critical role in the autoimmune processes of Type 1 Diabetes. The investigators hypothesize that Methyldopa, over a 6 week treatment period, will block this communication and possibly slow down the destruction of insulin producing cells. The investigators hope to assess the appropriate and safe dose to achieve this effect, along with the drug's ability to maintain insulin production and blood glucose control.

Effect of Methyldopa on Uterine Artery Diameter in Pregnant Women With Mild Preeclampsia [Completed]
The present study examined the effects of Methyldopa on uterine artery diameter, uterine artery blood flow, umbilical artery and fetal middle-cerebral artery in patients with Preeclampsia, using Doppler ultrasound.

Oral Antihypertensive Regimens for Management of Hypertension in Pregnancy [Not yet recruiting]
This is a pragmatic, open-label, randomised control trial of three oral anti-hypertensive regimens for women with severe hypertension in pregnancy. Women presenting with severe hypertension in pregnancy in two hospitals in Nagpur, India will be randomised to one of three oral regimens: nifedipine, labetalol or methyldopa. This trial will compare the efficacy, safety and side effects of these three oral regimens for management of hypertension in pregnant women. The investigators hypothesize that nifedipine treatment of severe hypertensive parturient women is more effective than treatment with labetalol or methyldopa in controlling high blood pressure within six hours.

Autonomic Nervous System and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [Active, not recruiting]
The investigators propose to test the hypothesis that the sympathetic nervous system contributes to the cardiovascular and inflammatory abnormalities present in the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and, in particular in the subset of patients characterized by postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). CFS and POTS are seen mostly in otherwise normal young women, and are the cause of significant disability. A substantial proportion of patients referred for evaluation of POTS met diagnostic criteria for CFS and, conversely, a subset of patients referred for treatment for CFS have POTS. The investigators hypothesize that sympathetic activation underlies the pathophysiology of patients in whom CFS and POTS overlap (CFS-P).

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Page last updated: 2013-02-10

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