Methyldopate

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Department of Pharmacy

Department of Nursing

Critical Care

Generic Name: Methyldopate HCL

Trade Name: Aldomet

Action Antihypertensive Agent

Indications: Hypertension

Administration Guidelines:

Usual Dosage Range and Route: Single dose: 250 - 1000 mg iv every 6 hours as titrated to patient response. Give each dose over 30 to 60 minutes
24 hour cumulative: 4 g

Standard Concentrations:
250mg /50 ml
500mg /50 ml
750mg /100 ml
1000mg/100ml

single dose dispensing :

< 500mg mix in 50ml D5W or NS,
>500mg-1000mg min in 100ml D5W or NS

Special Considerations: - Antihypertensive effects are not immediate and may be cumulative. Should not be used when rapid control of blood pressure is required.
- Can potentiate the hypotensive action of other vasodilators

- Blood pressure parameters must be clearly written by MD for dose regulation.

- Should be used with caution in patients with glucose -6- phosphate deficiency

-Preparation may contain sulfites, caution/contraindicated in asthmatics and patients with sulfa allergies

Precautions and Side Effects: - Hypotension
- Sinus node dysfunction, bradycardia

- Rash, fever

- Positive coombs test, thrombocytopenia

- Elevated liver function tests

- Somnolence

revised 07/07

Generic Name:	Methyldopate HCL
Trade Name:	Aldomet
Action	Antihypertensive Agent
Indications:	Hypertension
Administration Guidelines:
Usual Dosage Range and Route:	Single dose: 250 - 1000 mg iv every 6 hours as titrated to patient response. Give each dose over 30 to 60 minutes 24 hour cumulative: 4 g
Standard Concentrations:	250mg /50 ml 500mg /50 ml 750mg /100 ml 1000mg/100ml single dose dispensing : < 500mg mix in 50ml D5W or NS, >500mg-1000mg min in 100ml D5W or NS
Special Considerations:	- Antihypertensive effects are not immediate and may be cumulative. Should not be used when rapid control of blood pressure is required. - Can potentiate the hypotensive action of other vasodilators - Blood pressure parameters must be clearly written by MD for dose regulation. - Should be used with caution in patients with glucose -6- phosphate deficiency -Preparation may contain sulfites, caution/contraindicated in asthmatics and patients with sulfa allergies
Precautions and Side Effects:	- Hypotension - Sinus node dysfunction, bradycardia - Rash, fever - Positive coombs test, thrombocytopenia - Elevated liver function tests - Somnolence