Home Drug Guide Methyldopate Hydrochloride

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Methyldopate Hydrochloride

Brand Names Aldomet

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive

Pharmacological: Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist

FDA Approved Indications

  • Hypertension

Mechanism of Action

Methyldopate is converted in the central nervous system to methylnorepinephrine, which stimulates alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, reducing sympathetic outflow and decreasing blood pressure.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Initially 250 mg 2-3 times daily, titrated up as needed; usual maintenance dose 250-500 mg 2-3 times daily.

Pediatric: Not commonly used in children; dosage should be individualized under medical supervision.

Geriatric: Start at lower end of dosing range due to increased sensitivity and risk of hypotension.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; monitor blood pressure closely and adjust dose accordingly.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustment supported; cautious use recommended.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Distribution: Widely distributed throughout the body.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the central nervous system to active metabolites.

Excretion: Excreted primarily in the urine.

Half Life: Approximately 2-3 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to methyldopate or other components.
  • History of depression or active depression.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with hepatic disease, psychiatric conditions, or in those requiring psychiatric stability.
  • Pregnancy: Generally considered safe, but should be used under medical supervision, especially during the first trimester. Breastfeeding: Use with caution; consult healthcare provider.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Drowsiness, sedation (Common)
  • Dry mouth (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hemolytic anemia (Serious but rare)
  • Liver dysfunction or hepatitis (Rare)
  • Hypotension or orthostatic hypotension (Variable)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • MAO inhibitors may enhance hypotensive effects.
  • Other antihypertensives may increase blood pressure lowering.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure regularly, assess for signs of depression, liver function tests as indicated.

Diagnoses:

  • Ineffective tissue perfusion related to hypotension.
  • Risk for injury related to orthostatic hypotension.

Implementation: Administer orally as prescribed; advise patient to rise slowly from sitting or lying position.

Evaluation: Assess blood pressure response, monitor for adverse effects, and adjust dose as needed.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Warn about possible drowsiness and advise against driving or operating machinery until response is known.
  • Report symptoms of depression, jaundice, or unusual bleeding.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: N/A

Lab Test Interference: May interfere with certain laboratory tests of hepatic function.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypotension, sedation, depression.

Treatment: Maintain airway, monitor blood pressure, administer IV fluids, and use vasopressors if needed; gastric lavage or activated charcoal may be considered if ingestion was recent.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable under usual storage conditions for prescribed shelf life.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.