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	Search Quick Order Form» Departments Vitamins Minerals Supplements Herbs Home & Grocery Diet & Fitness Body & Bath More Ways to Shop Brands A-Z Natural Remedies Children & Infants Women's Health Men's Health Seniors Free Catalog MotherNature.com's Catalog Is Here! Click Here to Get Your Free Copy Today. Newsletter Sign Up Weekly health news, sale announcements and coupons!		Library Home > Safetychecker by Drug Name > Methyldopa METHYLDOPA Introduction Safetychecker summary Vitamin interactions Food interactions References Visit The Healthy Living Bookshelf: 21 Online Health Books From Rodale Combination drugs: Aldoclor®, Aldoril® Methyldopa is a drug used to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure). Safetychecker Summary for Methyldopa (for details about the summarized interactions, read the full article) May be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them. Vitamin B12* Avoid: Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication since the supplement may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the medication in the body. Iron Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results. Sodium Side effect reduction/prevention None known Supportive interaction None known Interactions with Dietary 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. Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds Food Food can interfere with methyldopa absorption.5 Taking methyldopa one hour before or two hours after eating can prevent this interference. References: 1. Campbell NR, Hasinoff BB. Iron supplements: A common cause of drug interactions. Brit J Clin Pharmacol 1991;31:251–5. 2. 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. 3. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press, 1998, 74. 4. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press, 1998, 171–2 . 5. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press, 1998, 170–1. Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc.  All rights reserved. www.healthnotes.com 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 Safetychecker. 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 2003.

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