Alphadopa 500 mg Tablet

Alphadopa 500 mg Tablet contains methyldopa 500 mg in each tablet. It belongs to the centrally acting antihypertensive medicine class and is used to help lower high blood pressure. This medicine may be prescribed when a doctor wants blood pressure control with methyldopa in a tablet form that provides a higher single strength. In some patients, it is also used during pregnancy when methyldopa is considered appropriate by the prescriber.

How it works: Methyldopa works in the brain to reduce nerve signals that raise blood pressure, which helps blood vessels relax and blood pressure come down. As a tablet, Alphadopa 500 mg Tablet is swallowed and absorbed to provide systemic blood pressure control over time.

Alphadopa 500 mg Tablet is a higher-strength option than Alphadopa 250 mg Tablet, so it may suit patients who need a larger amount of methyldopa per dose and can be managed on a doctor-directed schedule. Because it delivers 500 mg in one tablet, it may reduce the number of tablets needed compared with the 250 mg strength, but it is not meant for self-adjusting the dose.

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Blood pressure control during pregnancy when prescribed
• Long-term antihypertensive therapy
• Use when a higher tablet strength is needed

• Swallow Alphadopa 500 mg Tablet whole with water unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you otherwise.
• Take it exactly as prescribed, at the same times each day if possible.
• You may take it with or without food, but taking it with food may help if it upsets your stomach.
• Do not take extra tablets to make up for a missed dose unless your prescriber instructs you to do so.
• Stand up slowly after taking it, especially when you first start treatment or after a dose change.
• Keep taking the tablet even if you feel well, because high blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Each Alphadopa 500 mg Tablet provides 500 mg of methyldopa. The number of doses per day varies by patient and may be given in divided doses; the exact schedule and maximum daily amount are set by the doctor based on blood pressure response and tolerance.

Do not change your dose or stop the medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Common side effects of Methyldopa may include:

• Drowsiness or sleepiness, which may be more noticeable with this higher-strength tablet
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Weakness or fatigue
• Nasal congestion

• Alphadopa 500 mg Tablet may cause drowsiness, so use caution when driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.
• Alcohol can increase sleepiness and dizziness with methyldopa.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, since methyldopa can affect the liver.
• Use extra caution if you already have low blood pressure, since this strength may cause a bigger drop in blood pressure.
• Do not stop Alphadopa 500 mg Tablet suddenly unless your doctor tells you to.
• Let your doctor know about a history of depression, because mood changes can occur with methyldopa.
• If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, this medicine should only be used under medical supervision.

• Other blood pressure medicines, which can increase the risk of low blood pressure
• Alcohol, which can worsen drowsiness and dizziness
• Iron supplements or multivitamins with iron, which may reduce methyldopa absorption
• MAO inhibitors, which may increase adverse effects
• Anesthetics or sedating medicines, which may add to sleepiness and blood pressure lowering

Store Alphadopa 500 mg Tablet in its original strip/box at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and direct light.