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Medicine, Its Use And Remidies for Ailments - Aldomet
Aldomet (Al-doh-met) is a medicine which is used in hypertension. Aldomet contains methyldopa anhydrous.
Aldomet alters the activity of certain chemicals within the brain. This results in a lowering of blood pressure.
- your doctor may start you on a low dose of this medicine and then increase the dose depending on how you respond to treatment
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.
When to take your medicine
Some medicines work best if they are taken at a specific time of day. Getting the most from your medicine can also be affected by what you eat, when you eat and the times at which you take other medicines. Make sure you follow any specific instructions given to you by your prescriber or that are in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine.
How to take your medicine
Some medicines have specific instructions about how to take them. This is because they work better when taken correctly. These instructions can include getting the right dose and special instructions for preparing the medicine. Make sure you follow any specific instructions given to you by your prescriber or that are in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine.
- swallow whole with a glass of water
If you are having problems taking this medicine, you should talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They may be able to give you advice on other ways to take your medicine or other medicines that are easier for you to take.
Taking too much of your medicine
Taking extra doses of some medicines can be harmful. In some cases even one extra dose can cause you problems. If you take extra doses of your medicine, you must get medical advice immediately. You may need a test to assess the effect of taking extra doses. This is because the effects of taking too much medicine are very complex and it is therefore essential that you seek medical advice.
Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, specialist clinic for advice.
Make sure you take all of your medicine containers with you if you are advised to go to hospital.
Stopping your medicine
Suddenly stopping your medicine may cause your original condition to return. This is why you must speak to your prescriber if you are having any problems taking your medicine.
If you are not having any problems taking this medicine then do not stop taking it, even if you feel better, unless advised to do so by your prescriber.
Looking after your medicine
The instructions on how you should keep your medicine are on the pharmacy label. It is a good idea to keep your medicine in the original container. This will help to keep your medicine in the best condition and also allow you to check the instructions. Do not take the medicine if the packaging appears to have been tampered with or if the medicine shows any signs of damage. Make sure that the medicine is out of the sight and reach of children.
- do not store in temperatures above 25°C
- protect your medicine from light
- if your medicine comes in a bottle make sure that the container is closed tightly
You must not take the medicine after the expiry date shown on the packaging. If you have any unused medicine, return it to your pharmacist who will dispose of it safely.
Is this medicine suitable for you?
Aldomet is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.
Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:
- are about to have a procedure under general or local anaesthesia
- are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
- are elderly
- are on dialysis
- have cerebrovascular problems
- have depression
- have kidney problems
- have or have a family history of hepatic porphyria
- have or have had liver problems
- have phaeochromocytoma
As part of the process of assessing suitability to take this medicine a prescriber may also arrange tests:
- to check that this medicine is not having any undesired effects
Over time it is possible that Aldomet can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Aldomet has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.
Side Effects
Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience. Very occasionally, certain side-effects can be beneficial.
Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.
The frequency of these side-effects is unknown
- a drop in blood pressure on standing or sitting up
- abnormal laboratory test results
- abnormal muscle movement - if you have abnormal muscle movements you should seek medical advice
- amenorrhoea
- Bell's Palsy
- blocked nose
- blood and bone marrow problems - some of these blood problems may be fatal
- breast enlargement in men and women
- colitis
- constipation
- creation of breast milk
- decreased libido
- diarrhoea
- distension of the stomach
- dry mouth
- extrapyramidal side effects
- failure to ejaculate
- fever - if you get a fever you should seek medical advice
- flatulence
- headaches
- heart and circulation problems
- impotence
- inflammation of the salivary glands
- joint pain
- liver problems including jaundice - some of these liver problems may be fatal
- lupus or lupus-like problem
- may affect the results for certain tests
- metabolic problems
- muscle pain or tenderness
- nausea
- oedema and weight gain
- pancreatitis
- paraesthesiae
- parkinson's-like symptoms
- psychological problems including nightmares, lowering of mental acuity, depression or psychotic like behaviour
- reduced supply of blood to the head, dizziness or lightheadedness - this may be due to lowered blood pressure
- sedation
- skin problems
- skin rash or rashes
- slower heart rate
- sore or black tongue
- swelling of the joints
- urine colour changes
- vomiting
- weakness
- worsening of angina
If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away.
Taking other medicines
The decision to use medicines that interact depends on your specific circumstances. Your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, if it is believed that the benefits of taking the medicines together outweigh the risks. In such cases, it may be necessary to alter your dose or monitor you more closely.
Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.
The following medicines may interact with Aldomet:
- ferrous gluconate
- ferrous sulphate
- lithium
The following types of medicine may interact with Aldomet:
- anaesthetics
- antihypertensives
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- phenothiazines
- sympathomimetics
- tricyclic antidepressants
If you are taking Aldomet and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.
Complementary preparations and vitamins
Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins.
Make sure you tell your prescriber the names of all the complementary preparations and vitamins that you are taking or are planning to take.
Your prescriber can then decide whether it is appropriate for you to take together combinations that are known to interact.
- this medicine may interact with iron
If you have been prescribed Aldomet you should only take something on the above list on the specific advice of your prescriber or pharmacist.
Driving and operating machinery
When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
- it may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery when you first start taking Aldomet or when the dose is increased
You should see how this medicine affects you before you judge whether you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt about whether you should drive or operate machinery, talk to your prescriber.
Diet
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.
- there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when taking Aldomet
Alcohol
Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.
- there are no known interactions between alcohol and Aldomet
Family planning and pregnancy
Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.
- you should only take this medicine during pregnancy if your doctor thinks that you need it
You need to discuss your specific circumstances with your doctor to weigh up the overall risks and benefits of taking this medicine. You and your doctor can make a decision about whether you are going to take this medicine during pregnancy.
If the decision is that you should not have Aldomet, then you should discuss whether there is an alternative medicine that you could take during pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
Certain medicines can pass into breast milk and may reach your baby through breast-feeding.
- you should only take this medicine while breast-feeding if your doctor thinks you need it
Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. They will help you decide what is best for you and your baby based on the benefits and risks associated with this medicine. You should only breast-feed your baby while taking this medicine on the advice of your doctor or midwife.
Ingredients
Medicines contain active ingredients. They may also contain other, additional ingredients that help ensure the stability, safety and effectiveness of the medicine. They are also added to improve the medicine's taste and appearance and to make it easier to take. Some may be used to prolong the life of the medicine.
You should check that you are able to take the ingredients in your medicine, especially if you have any allergies.
Aldomet contains:
- carnauba wax
- cellulose powder
- citric acid anhydrous
- colloidal silicon dioxide
- ethylcellulose
- guar gum
- hypromellose
- magnesium stearate
- methyldopa anhydrous
- propylene glycol
- quinoline yellow aluminium lake (E104)
- red iron oxide (E172)
- sodium calcium edetate
- talc
- titanium dioxide
If you are not able to take any of the ingredients in your medicine, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist to see if they can suggest an alternative medicine. If you have reacted badly to Aldomet before, do not take Aldomet. Talk to your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse as soon as possible.
Disclaimer - eHealth Treats does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services. Consulting a Qualified Medical Practitioner is always recommended. eHealth Treats does not and should not be taken as a substitute for a Qualified Medical Practitioner.
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