DRUG INTERACTIONS
Drug Interactions
When methyldopa is used with other antihypertensive drugs, potentiation of antihypertensive effect may occur. Patients should be followed carefully to detect side reactions or unusual manifestations of drug idiosyncrasy.
Patients may require reduced doses of anesthetics when on methyldopa. If hypotension does occur during anesthesia, it usually can be controlled by vasopressors. The adrenergic receptors remain sensitive during treatment with methyldopa.
When methyldopa and lithium are given concomitantly the patient should be carefully monitored for symptoms of lithium toxicity. Read the circular for lithium preparations.
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors: See
CONTRAINDICATIONS.
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OVERDOSAGE
Acute overdosage may produce acute hypotension with other responses attributable to brain and gastrointestinal malfunction (excessive sedation, weakness, bradycardia, dizziness, lightheadedness, constipation, distention, flatus, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting).
In the event of overdosage, symptomatic and supportive measures should be employed. Management includes special attention to cardiac rate and output, blood volume, electrolyte balance, paralytic ileus, urinary function and cerebral activity.
Sympathomimetic drugs [e.g., levarterenol, epinephrine, ARAMINE* (Metaraminol Bitartrate, MSD)] may be indicated.
The acute intravenous LD50 of Methyldopate HCl in the mouse is 321 mg/kg.
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CONTRAINDICATIONS
Methyldopate hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients:
- with active hepatic disease, such as acute hepatitis and active cirrhosis.
- with liver disorders previously associated with methyldopa therapy (see
WARNINGS).
- with hypersensitivity to any component of this product, including sulfites (see
WARNINGS).
- on therapy with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
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