Dopamet 250

Introduction
Dopamet 250 is a medicine used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering the blood pressure helps prevent future heart attack and stroke. This medicine is also used to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy. Dopamet 250 can be taken alone or in combination with other medicines. It can be taken with or without food. You may take it at any time of day but try to take it at the same time each day. You should take this medicine as advised by the doctor and never stop it abruptly without consulting the doctor. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel ill, but if you stop taking this medicine, your condition could get worse. This may lead to your blood pressure rising up again and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. This medicine is only one part of a treatment program which should also include a healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol intake and weight reduction. You can eat normally while taking this medicine, but try to reduce your salt intake. Common side effects of this medicine include headache, weakness, dizziness, and dryness in mouth. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you. Before taking this medicine, it is better to let your doctor know if you are suffering from any kidney or liver disease. Also, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should consult a doctor before taking it. You must inform doctor about all the other medicines that you are taking apart from this medicine.

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Uses of Dopamet 250
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Side effects of Dopamet 250
Common
Dizziness
Fatigue
Sleepiness
Dryness in mouth
Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)
How to use Dopamet 250
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Dopamet 250 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. Avoid Dopamet 250 with high protein meals such as cottage cheese, Swiss cheese, protein powder, eggs and milk.
How Dopamet 250 works
Dopamet 250 is an alpha-2 agonist. It works by relaxing blood vessels which makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood around the body.
What if you forget to take Dopamet 250?
If you miss a dose of Dopamet 250, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Quick Tips
For best results, take Dopamet 250 at the same time every day. Take last dose of the day at bedtime.
May cause dizziness and lightheadedness. If this happens to you, do not drive or use machinery.
Your doctor may monitor liver function. Inform your doctor if you notice yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting while taking this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Do not discontinue use without consulting your doctor even if you feel better.
Brief Description
Indication
Hypertension
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral Hypertension Adult: Monotherapy: Initially, 250 mg bid-tid for 2 days; adjust at intervals of at least 2 days according to response. Maintenance: 500-2,000 mg daily. Max: 3,000 mg daily. Combination therapy: Initial dose should not exceed 500 mg daily in divided doses. Elderly: Initially, 125 mg bid; gradually increase according to response. Max: 2,000 mg daily.

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Child Dose
Oral Hypertension Child: <12 yr Initially, 10 mg/kg or 300 mg/m2 daily in 2-4 divided doses; adjust at intervals of at least 2 days according to response. Max: 65 mg/kg, 2,000 mg/m2 or 3,000 mg daily, whichever is least. _ Renal Dose Renal Impairment Adjust dosage frequency with renal impairment CrCl >50 mL/min: q8hr CrCl 10-50 mL/min: q8-12hr CrCl <10 mL/min: q12-24hr _ Contraindication Active liver disease (e.g. acute hepatitis, active cirrhosis) or depression. Concomitant use w/ MAOIs. Mode of Action Methyldopa stimulates alpha 2-adrenoceptors which results in reduced sympathetic tone and fall in BP. Precaution Patient w/ history of haemolytic anaemia, liver disease or depression; parkinsonism, hepatic porphyria. Not intended for the treatment of phaeochromocytoma. Renal or hepatic impairment. Childn, elderly. Pregnancy and lactation. Patient Counselling May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Monitoring Parameters Monitor BP, blood counts, liver enzymes; direct Coombs' test. Lactation: distributed in breast milk but not in clinically significant amounts; compatible w/ breastfeeding _ Side Effect Drowsiness, orthostatic hypotension, nausea, headache, weakness, fatigue, decreased libido, impotence, impaired concentration and memory, mild psychoses, depression, disturbed sleep, nightmares, paraesthesias, Bell's palsy, parkinsonism, involuntary choreoathetotic movements, oedema, fluid retention, exacerbation of angina pectoris, bradycardia, syncope, prolonged carotid sinus hypersensitivity, paradoxical HTN, GI disturbances (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation), black/sore tongue, inflamed salivary glands, dry mouth, fever, eosinophilia, liver function disturbances, hepatitis, lupus-like syndrome, rashes, lichenoid and granulomatous eruptions, toxic epidermal necrolysis, flu-like syndrome, nocturia, uraemia, nasal congestion, retroperitoneal fibrosis, hyperprolactinaemia, breast enlargement (including gynaecomastia), galactorrhoea, amenorrhoea. Rarely, pancreatitis and colitis, immune thrombocytopenia, reversible leucopenia (primarily granulocytopenia). Potentially Fatal: Hepatic necrosis, haemolytic anaemia, hypersensitivity myocarditis. _ Interaction Reduced hypotensive effects with phenothiazines, TCAs and possibly, amphetamines. Additive hypotensive effects with levodopa; psychosis may also occur. Reduced absorption and effects with oral iron preparations. Reduced doses of general anaesthetics may be required. Effect of ephedrine may be reduced. Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of severe hypertension with MAOIs. Increased lithium toxicity _