General Health

Methyldopa (Aldomet) is one drug which has stood the test of time. It is effective and is usually combined with a diuretic.
Large doses may lead to postural hypotension where the blood pressure drops suddenly as the person rises from the sitting or lying position. This can cause the person to feel giddy, to fall or faint.

Unless warned about this, the person may misinterpret this symptom to mean the pressure has risen and he may take extra tablets, which, of course, will only make the situation worse.

Like all the other hypotensives, methyldopa has other side effects. It can cause depression and can antagonise some drugs used to treat depression. It may even cause some changes to the bone marrow, but it remains the drug most commonly used.

The beta-blocker group of drugs are now widely used in treating blood pressure as well as coronary heart disease for which they were originally introduced. They have the advantage of not dropping the pressure below normal levels.

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General health