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methyldopate (Aldomet ester)
Indications:
- treatment of hypertension when parental administration is incidated
- treatment of hypertensive crisis
Dosage:
- 250-500 mg IV infusion over 30-60 minutes every 6 hours
- maximum: 1000 mg every 6 hours
Injection: 50 mg/mL, 5 mL vials (250 mg/vial)
Adverse effects:
- Cardiovascular:
- aggravation of angina pectoris
- congestive heart failure
- prolonged carotid sinus hypersensitivity
- paradoxical pressor response
- orthostatic hypotension
- edema
- bradycardia
- GI:
- pancreatitis
- colitis
- nausea, vomiting
- diarrhea, constipation
- sialadenitis, black tongue, xerostomia
- abdominal distension, flatulence
- Hematologic:
- bone marrow suppression
- hemolytic anemia
- Hepatic:
- hepatitis
- jaundice
- Hypersensitivity:
- myocarditis
- pericarditis
- vasculitis
- lupus-like syndrome
- drug-related fever
- CNS:
- parkinsonism
- Bell's palsy
- decreased mental acuity
- choreoathetosis
- transient ishemic attack
- nightmares
- psychosis
- depression
- headache
- sedation
- asthenia or weakness
- dizziness, lightheadedness
- paresthesias
- Musculoskeletal:
- arthralgia
- myalgia
- Respiratory: nasal stuffiness
- Skin:
- toxic epidermal necrolysis
- rash
- Urogenital:
- amenorrhea
- gynecomastia, lactation
- impotence, decreased libido
Laboratory:
- positive antinuclear antibody, LE cells
- positive rheumatoid factor
- abnormal liver function tests
- complete blood count
- anemia
- leukopenia
- neutropenia
- eosinophilia
- thrombocytopenia
- positive Coombs test
- serum urea nitrogen may be increased
- serum prolactin: hyperprolactinemia
Interactions
drug adverse effects of adrenergic receptor agonists
General
methyldopa (Aldomet)
References
- RxList
http://www.rxlist.com/methyldopate_hcl-drug.htm