Aldomet
| Noun | 1. |  Aldomet - antihypertensive drug (trade name Aldomet) used in the treatment of high blood pressure |
Aldomet
Aldomet
[al´do-met]methyldopa
methyldopate hydrochloride
Pharmacologic class: Centrally acting antiadrenergic
Therapeutic class: Antihypertensive
Pregnancy risk category B
Action
Stimulates CNS alpha-adrenergic receptors, decreasing sympathetic stimulation to heart and blood vessels. Also reduces arterial pressure and plasma renin.
Availability
Injection: 50 mg/ml in 5- and 10-ml vials
Oral suspension (contains bisulfites): 250 mg/5 ml
Tablets: 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg
Indications and dosages
➣ Hypertension
Adults: 250 mg P.O. two to three times daily for 2 days (not to exceed 500 mg/day in divided doses if used with other agents); may increase q 2 days as needed. Usual maintenance dosage is 500 mg to 2 g/day (not to exceed 3 g/day) P.O. in two to four divided doses or 250 to 500 mg I.V. q 6 hours (up to 1 g q 6 hours).
Children: 10 mg/kg/day (300 mg/m2/day) P.O. in two to four divided doses. May increase q 2 days up to 65 mg/kg/day (2 g/m2/day), or 3 g/day in divided doses (whichever is lower) or 5 to 10 mg/kg I.V. q 6 hours; up to 65 mg/kg/day (2 g/m2/day), or 3 g/day in divided doses (whichever is lower).
Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to drug or its components
• Pheochromocytoma
• Active hepatic disease or history of methyldopa-associated hepatic disorders
• MAO inhibitor use within past 14 days
Precautions
Use cautiously in:
• heart failure, edema, hemolytic anemia, hypotension, severe bilateral cerebrovascular disease
• dialysis patients
• elderly patients
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients.
Administration
See Don't give within 14 days of MAO inhibitors.
• To prepare I.V. infusion, add prescribed dosage to 100 ml 5% dextrose injection. Or administer in 5% dextrose injection in a concentration of 100 mg/10 ml. Give each dose over 30 to 60 minutes.
• Dilute and administer ADD-Vantage vials containing 50 mg/ml according to manufacturer's instructions.
See Don't stop drug therapy abruptly.
Adverse reactions
CNS: headache, asthenia, weakness, dizziness, sedation, decreased mental acuity, depression, paresthesia, parkinsonism, Bell's palsy, involuntary choreoathetotic movements
CV: bradycardia, edema, orthostatic hypotension, myocarditis
EENT: nasal congestion
GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distention, colitis, dry mouth, sialadenitis, sore or black tongue, pancreatitis
GU: breast enlargement, gynecomastia, failure to ejaculate, erectile dysfunction
Hematologic: eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia
Hepatic: hepatitis
Other: fever
Interactions
Drug-drug. Adrenergics, MAO inhibitors: excessive sympathetic stimulation
Amphetamines, barbiturates, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants: decreased antihypertensive effect
Anesthestics, antihypertensives, nitrates: additive hypotension
Ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate: decreased methyldopa blood level
Haloperidol: increased haloperidol effects, increased risk of psychoses
Levodopa: additive hypotension and CNS toxicity
Lithium: increased risk of lithium toxicity
Nonselective beta-adrenergic blockers: paradoxical hypertension
Tolbutamide: increased tolbutamide effects
Drug-diagnostic tests. Alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, potassium, prolactin, sodium, uric acid: increased levels
Direct Coombs' test: positive result
Liver function tests: abnormal results
Prothrombin time: prolonged
Drug-herbs. Capsicum: reduced antihypertensive effects
Drug-behaviors. Alcohol use: increased hypotension
Patient monitoring
• Obtain direct Coombs' test before therapy starts and 6 and 12 months later.
• Monitor periodic blood counts to detect adverse hematologic reactions.
• Monitor liver function tests and check for signs and symptoms of hepatic dysfunction (particularly during first 6 to 12 weeks of therapy).
• Check for edema or weight gain to help determine if diuretic should be added to regimen.
• Monitor blood pressure. Drug tolerance may occur during second and third months of therapy.
Patient teaching
• Tell patient that sedation usually occurs when therapy starts and during dosage titration. To lessen this effect, advise him to begin dosage titration in evening.
See Tell patient not to stop taking drug abruptly.
See Instruct patient to report fever, yellowing of skin or eyes, fatigue, abdominal pain, flulike symptoms, swelling, or significant weight gain.
• Inform patient that urine may darken after exposure to air.
• Advise patient to move slowly when changing position, to avoid dizziness from sudden blood pressure decrease.
• Caution patient to avoid driving and other hazardous activities until effects of drug are known or dosage titration is completed.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, tests, herbs, and behaviors mentioned above.
Aldomet
(ăl′də-mĕt′)Aldomet
A brand name for METHYLDOPA.Aldomet
- noun
Synonyms for Aldomet
noun antihypertensive drug (trade name Aldomet) used in the treatment of high blood pressure
Synonyms
- alpha methyl dopa
- methyldopa
Related Words
- antihypertensive
- antihypertensive drug
- brand
- brand name
- marque
- trade name