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PRECAUTIONS: Before taking methyldopa, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: liver disease (e.g., hepatitis or cirrhosis), a history of liver disease caused by medications.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: low red blood cell count (e.g., hemolytic anemia), certain genetic conditions (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency), heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack, pheochromocytoma, Parkinson's disease.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.This medication passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during and after taking methyldopa. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur. If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting methyldopa.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: entacapone, levodopa, lithium, iron products, other blood pressure medications (e.g., beta blockers such as propranolol, calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine, ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril, diuretics such as furosemide).Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., allergy, cough and cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could cause drowsiness, dizziness, or an increase in your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.Caffeine may increase your blood pressure. Caffeine can be found in nonprescription diet medications, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Limit caffeine intake.This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (e.g., matching blood), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration   You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.