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Aldoclor-150, Aldoclor-250, |Aldoclor-250

Aldoclor-250

Generic Name: chlorothiazide and methyldopa (klor oh THYE a zide and meth ill DOE pa)
Brand Names: Aldoclor-150, Aldoclor-250

What is chlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Methyldopa lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.

Chlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It helps to lower your blood pressure and decrease edema (swelling) by increasing the amount of salt and water you lose in your urine.

Chlorothiazide and methyldopa is used to treat high blood pressure.

Chlorothiazide and methyldopa may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about chlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Stand up slowly from a sitting or lying position.

Who should not take chlorothiazide and methyldopa?

You must not take chlorothiazide and methyldopa if you

• have any type of liver disease;

• have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics (you may have an allergic reaction to chlorothiazide); or

• are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have any type of heart disease,

• have had a heart attack or a stroke,

• have kidney disease,

• have high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides (types of fat) in your blood,

• have diabetes,
• have gout,

• have a collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus, or

• have pancreatitis.

You may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

How should I take chlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Take chlorothiazide and methyldopa exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take this medication at bedtime when you are beginning therapy or when your dosage has changed. Chlorothiazide and methyldopa will make you drowsy and may cause some dizziness. Taking it at bedtime will prevent falls and injuries. When you become used to the effects, you may take the medication earlier in the day to prevent nighttime urination.

Do not stop taking this medication suddenly even if you feel better. You may need to take chlorothiazide and methyldopa for the rest of your life to control your condition.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a chlorothiazide and methyldopa overdose include drowsiness, lethargy, weakness, lightheadedness, a slow heart rate, irregular heartbeats, nausea, vomiting, and possibly seizures.

What should I avoid while taking chlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and will decrease the effects of chlorothiazide.

Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. It is easy to become dangerously dehydrated while taking chlorothiazide and methyldopa.

Avoid other drugs such as sleeping pills, prescription pain relievers, antihistamines, and antidepressants. These products will also increase the drowsiness you experience. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking.

Chlorothiazide and methyldopa side effects

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• a very slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute);

• unusually high or low blood pressure (fainting, a severe headache, flushing of your face);

• chest pain;

• uncontrollable movements of your arms, legs, or facial muscles;

• yellowing of your skin or eyes;

• unusual bleeding or bruising; or

• little or no urine.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take chlorothiazide and methyldopa any talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• fatigue, dizziness, tiredness;

• tingling or numbness in your arms, legs, hands, or feet;

• headache;

• constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea;

• insomnia;

• increased hunger or thirst or a dry mouth (sucking on ice chips or sugarless hard candy may relieve this side effect);

• excessive urination;

• muscle weakness or cramps;

• blurred vision;

• impotence; or

• sensitivity to sunlight.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect chlorothiazide and methyldopa?

Do not take chlorothiazide and methyldopa if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have taken one in the last 14 days. MAOIs, used to treat depression, include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• barbiturates such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), amobarbital (Amytal), or secobarbital (Seconal), which may cause extreme sleepiness or dizziness if taken with chlorothiazide and methyldopa;

• narcotic pain relievers such as codeine (Tylenol #3, Tylenol #4, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet, Wygesic), oxycodone (Percodan, Percocet, Tylox), meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, Duramorph, others), and others also may cause extreme sleepiness or dizziness if taken with chlorothiazide and methyldopa;

• steroid medications such as hydrocortisone (Hydrocortone, Cortef), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), prednisolone (Delta Cortef, Prelone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol), and others, which may increase the side effects of chlorothiazide;

• prescription and over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, and sleeping pills, which may affect your condition or your treatment with chlorothiazide and methyldopa;

• the cholesterol-lowering drugs cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid), which may decrease the effects of chlorothiazide;

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), and naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), which may decrease the effects of chlorothiazide and also may increase the risk of damage to your kidneys;
• other commonly used NSAIDs, including diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), and tolmetin (Tolectin);

• oral antidiabetic drugs such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase), and tolbutamide (Orinase), which may not lower your blood sugar as well during therapy with chlorothiazide and methyldopa (your diabetes therapy may have to be adjusted);

• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others), which should not be taken with chlorothiazide because serious side effects may result; or

• other drugs that also lower blood pressure, including acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), labetolol (Trandate, Normodyne), propranolol (Inderal), pindolol (Visken), timolol (Blocadren), benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), amlodipine (Norvasc), bepridil (Vascor), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (Dynacirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), and verapamil (Calan, Veralan, Isoptin).

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with chlorothiazide and methyldopa or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about chlorothiazide and methyldopa written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Chlorothiazide and methyldopa is available with a prescription under the brand name Aldoclor. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Chlorothiazide/methyldopa strengths are as follows:

• Aldoclor 150 (150 mg/250 mg)--oval, beige, film-coated tablets

• Aldoclor 250 (250 mg/250 mg)--oval, green, film-coated tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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