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| __NOTOC__
| | #REDIRECT [[Methyldopa#Adult Indications and Dosage]] |
| {{Methyldopa}}
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| {{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{AK}}
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| ==Dosage And Administration==
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| ===Adults===
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| ====Initiation of Therapy====
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| The usual starting dosage of methyldopa tablet is 250 mg two to three times a day in the first 48 hours. The daily dosage then may be increased or decreased, preferably at intervals of not less than two days, until an adequate response is achieved. To minimize the sedation, start dosage increases in the evening. By adjustment of dosage, morning hypotension may be prevented without sacrificing control of afternoon blood pressure.
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| When methyldopa is given to patients on other antihypertensives, the dose of these agents may need to be adjusted to effect a smooth transition. When methyldopa is given with anti-hypertensives other than thiazides, the initial dosage of methyldopa should be limited to 500 mg daily in divided doses; when methyldopa is added to a thiazide, the dosage of thiazide need not be changed.
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| ====Maintenance of Therapy====
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| The usual daily dosage of methyldopa is 500 mg to 2 g in two to four doses. Although occasional patients have responded to higher doses, the maximum recommended daily dosage is 3 g. Once an effective dosage range is attained, a smooth blood pressure response occurs in most patients in 12 to 24 hours. Since methyldopa has a relatively short duration of action, withdrawal is followed by return of hypertension usually within 48 hours. This is not complicated by an overshoot of blood pressure.
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| Occasionally tolerance may occur, usually between the second and third month of therapy. Adding a diuretic or increasing the dosage of methyldopa frequently will restore effective control of blood pressure. A thiazide may be added at any time during methyldopa therapy and is recommended if therapy has not been started with a thiazide or if effective control of blood pressure cannot be maintained on 2 g of methyldopa daily.
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| Methyldopa is largely excreted by the kidney and patients with impaired renal function may respond to smaller doses. Syncope in older patients may be related to an increased sensitivity and advanced [[arteriosclerotic ]]vascular disease. This may be avoided by lower doses.
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| ===Pediatric Patients===
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| Initial dosage is based on 10 mg/kg of body weight daily in two to four doses. The daily dosage then is increased or decreased until an adequate response is achieved. The maximum dosage is 65 mg/kg or 3 g daily, whichever is less. (See [[Methyldopa tablet precautions|PRECAUTIONS: Pediatric Use]].)<ref name="dailymed.nlm.nih.gov">{{Cite web | last = | first = | title = METHYLDOPA TABLET [CARDINAL HEALTH] | url = http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=d87d63fd-48f7-4130-af03-5e263c338fe4 | publisher = | date = | accessdate = 10 March 2014 }}</ref>
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| ==References==
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| {{Reflist|2}}
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| [[Category:Cardiovascular Drugs]]
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| [[Category:Drugs]]
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