Methyldopa and Thiazide Diuretics (Systemic)
Precautions While Using This MedicineIt is
important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure
that this medicine is working properly.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed
with your doctor
. This especially includes over-the-counter (nonprescription)
medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus
problems, since they may tend to increase your blood pressure.
This medicine may cause a loss of potassium from your
body
:
-
To help prevent this, your doctor may want you to:
-
eat or drink foods that have a high potassium content (for example,
orange or other citrus fruit juices), or
-
take a potassium supplement, or
-
take another medicine to help prevent the loss of the potassium in
the first place.
-
It is very important to follow these directions. Also, it is important
not to change your diet on your own. This is more important if you are already
on a special diet (as for diabetes), or if you are taking a potassium supplement
or a medicine to reduce potassium loss. Extra potassium may not be necessary
and, in some cases, too much potassium could be harmful.
Check with your doctor if you become sick and have severe or continuing
vomiting or diarrhea. These problems may cause you to lose additional water
and potassium.
Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency
treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking
this medicine.
If you have a fever and there seems to be no reason
for it, check with your doctor
. This is especially important during
the first few weeks you take this medicine since fever may be a sign of a
serious reaction to methyldopa.
This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy or less alert than
they are normally. This is more likely to happen when you begin to take it
or when you increase the amount of medicine you are taking. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines,
or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert
.
Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you
get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help, but if
the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
The dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting is also more likely to occur
if you drink alcohol, stand for long periods of time, exercise, or if the
weather is hot. Drinking alcoholic beverages may also make the drowsiness
worse. While you are taking this medicine, be careful
in the amount of alcohol you drink
. Also, use extra care during exercise
or hot weather or if you must stand for long periods of time.
For diabetic patients
:
-
This medicine may raise blood sugar levels. While you are using this
medicine, be especially careful in testing for sugar in your urine. If you
have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
This medicine may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use
sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute.
However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check
with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase
the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus
infections.
Thiazide diuretics may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight
than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time,
may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin,
or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking this medicine:
-
Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00
a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
-
Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.
-
Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF)
of at least 15. Some patients may require a product with a higher SPF number,
especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about
this, check with your health care professional.
-
Apply a sun block lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect
your lips.
-
Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.
If you have a severe reaction from the
sun, check with your doctor
.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the doctor in charge that you are
taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.
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