Trinity, Texas - Methyldopa; Methyldopa is a drug used to lower blood pressure ...

Complementary Medicine - Cam

Search Health Content Print This Page Print

Alternative Medicine
The following information is specific for alternative and complementary medicine. For additional evidence-based information on diseases, conditions, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and wellness issues, continue searching the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

Also indexed as:

Aldomet

Combination List

Combination drugs:

Methyldopa is a drug used to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure).

Herbs

Summary of Interactions for Methyldopa

Depletion or interference	Vitamin B12*
Adverse interaction	Sodium
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Supportive interaction	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	Iron

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Supplements

Iron

Iron supplements have been found to decrease methyldopa absorption.^1,² Taking methyldopa two hours before or after iron-containing products can help avoid this interaction.

Vitamin B12

Methyldopa can decrease vitamin B12 levels, thus increasing the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.³

Sodium

Excess dietary sodium (salt) intake can cause fluid retention and interfere with the blood pressure lowering action of methyldopa.⁴ Reducing the use of table salt and heavily salted foods during methyldopa therapy reduces the likelihood of this interference.

Other Interactions

Food

Food can interfere with methyldopa absorption.⁵ Taking methyldopa one hour before or two hours after eating can prevent this interference.

References

Campbell NR, Hasinoff BB. Iron supplements: A common cause of drug interactions. Brit J Clin Pharmacol 1991;31:251-5.
Campbell N, Paddock V, Sundaram R. Alteration of methyldopa absorption, metabolism, and blood pressure control caused by ferrous sulfate and gluconate. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1988;43:381-6.
Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press, 1998, 74.
Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press, 1998, 171-2 .
Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press, 1998, 170-1.

Last Review: 09-01-2007

Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article.

Learn more about Healthnotes, the company.

Learn more about the authors of Using Medicines with Vitamins and Herbs

The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2008.