Methyldopa

METHYLDOPA TABLETS BP 125mg

Each tablet contains: Methyldopa PhEur equivalent to anhydrous methyldopa 125mg.

Yellow film-coated tablets.

Yellow, circular, biconvex film-coated tablets, impressed “C” on one face and the identifying letters “MA” on the reverse.

1) Treatment of hypertension.

Posology

Since Methyldopa is largely excreted by the kidneys, patients with impaired renal function may respond to comparatively low doses.

Withdrawal of Methyldopa which is followed by return of hypertension, usually within 48 hours, is not complicated generally by an overshoot of blood pressure.

Therapy with Methyldopa may be initiated in most patients already on treatment with other antihypertensive agents by terminating these antihypertensive medications gradually if required (see manufacturer's recommendations on stopping these drugs). Following such previous antihypertensive therapy, Methyldopa should be limited to an initial dose of not more than 500mg daily and increased as required at intervals of not less than two days.

A thiazide may be added at any time during Methyldopa therapy and is recommended if therapy has not been started with a thiazide or if effective control of blood pressure cannot be maintained on 2g of Methyldopa daily.

Methyldopa may also be used concomitantly with the combination of amiloride hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide or beta-blocking agents, such as timolol maleate.

When Methyldopa is given to patients on other antihypertensives the dose of these agents may need to be adjusted to effect a smooth transition.

Adults and children over 12 years: Initially 250mg two or three times a day, for two days. Thereafter, usually increased at intervals of not less than two days until an adequate response is achieved. The maximum recommended daily dose should not exceed 3g.

Many patients experience sedation for two or three days when therapy with Methyldopa is started or when the dose is increased. When increasing the dosage, therefore, it may be desirable to increase the evening dose first.

Children under 12 years: Initial dosage is based on 10mg/kg of bodyweight daily in 2-4 divided doses increased or decreased as required. The maximum dose is 65mg/kg or 3g daily, whichever is less.

Elderly: The initial dose should be kept as low as possible, not exceeding 250mg daily. An appropriate starting dose would be 125mg twice daily increasing slowly as required, to a maximum of 2g daily. An alternative tablet preparation may therefore be required initially for this age group.

Method of Administration

For oral administration.

- Active hepatic disease (such as acute hepatitis and active cirrhosis);

- Hypersensitivity (including hepatic disorders associated with previous methyldopa therapy) to methyldopa or any of the ingredients in the tablets;

- Phaeochromocytoma;

- Depression;

- Therapy with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Occasionally, fever has occurred within the first three weeks of therapy, sometimes associated with eosinophilia or abnormalities in liver function tests. Jaundice, with or without fever, also may occur. Its onset is usually within the first two or three months of therapy. In some patients the findings are consistent with those of cholestasis. Rare cases of fatal hepatic necrosis have been reported. Liver biopsy, performed in several patients with liver dysfunction, showed a microscopic focal necrosis compatible with drug hypersensitivity. Liver function tests and a total and differential white blood cell count are advisable before therapy and at intervals during the first six weeks to twelve weeks of therapy, or whenever an unexplained fever occurs. Should fever, abnormality in liver function, or jaundice occur, therapy should be withdrawn. If related to methyldopa, the temperature and abnormalities in liver function will then return to normal. Methyldopa should not be used again in these patients. Methyldopa should be used with caution in patients with a history of previous liver disease or dysfunction.

The development of a positive direct Coombs' test occurs in 10-20% of patients and is dose related, the lowest incidence occurring in patients receiving 1g or less of methyldopa daily. It rarely develops in the first six months of treatment and if not encountered within twelve months is unlikely to occur. The test becomes negative usually within weeks or months of cessation of methyldopa.

Prior knowledge of a positive Coombs reaction will aid in evaluating a cross-match for transfusion. If a patient with a positive Coombs reaction shows an incompatible minor cross-match, an indirect Coombs test should be performed. If this is negative, transfusion with blood compatible in the major cross-match may be carried out. If positive, the advisability of transfusion should be determined by a haematologist.

Acquired haemolytic anaemia has occurred rarely. Should symptoms suggest anaemia, haemoglobin and/or haematocrit determinations should be made. If anaemia is confirmed, tests should be made for haemolysis; if present therapy should be discontinued. Stopping therapy with or without giving corticosteroid has usually brought prompt remission, however, rarely deaths have occurred.

Reversible leucopenia with primary effect on granulocytes has been reported rarely, but the granulocyte count has reverted back to normal on discontinuing therapy. Reversible thrombocytopenia has occurred rarely.

Dialysis removes methyldopa, therefore, hypertension may recur after this procedure.

Rarely, involuntary choreoathetotic movements have been observed during therapy with methyldopa in patients with severe bilateral cerebrovascular disease. Should these movements occur, therapy should be discontinued.

Methyldopa should be used with extreme caution in patients, or in near relatives of patients, with hepatic porphyria.

Methyldopa may cause sedation, usually transient, during the initial period of therapy or whenever the dose is increased. If affected, patients should not carry out activities where alertness is necessary, such as driving a car or operating machinery.

The most common side-effect of methyldopa is drowsiness. This is usually transient and may occur during the initial period of therapy or when the dose is increased. Other side-effects are rare, but the following have been reported:

Allergic: Drug-related fever and lupus-like syndrome, myocarditis, pericarditis.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Positive Coombs test, haemolytic anaemia, bone marrow depression, leucopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, rise in blood urea. Positive tests for antinuclear antibody, LE cells, and rheumatoid factor.

Endocrine disorders: Hyperprolactinaemia.

Nervous system disorders: Sedation (usually transient), headache, asthenia or weakness, paraesthesiae, parkinsonism, Bell's palsy, involuntary choreoathetotic movements. Psychic disturbances including nightmares, impaired mental acuity and reversible mild psychoses or depression. Dizziness, light-headedness, and symptoms of cerebrovascular insufficiency (may be due to lowering of blood pressure).

Cardiac disorders: Bradycardia, prolonged carotid sinus hypersensitivity, aggravation of angina pectoris. Orthostatic hypotension (decrease daily dosage). Oedema (and weight gain) usually relieved by use of a diuretic. (Discontinue methyldopa if oedema progresses or signs of heart failure appear).

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Nasal stuffiness.

Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, vomiting, distension, constipation, flatus, diarrhoea, colitis, mild dryness of mouth, sore or “black” tongue, pancreatitis, sialadenitis.

Hepato-biliary disorders: Liver disorders including hepatitis, jaundice, abnormal liver function tests.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Rash as in eczema or lichenoid eruption, toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders: Mild arthralgia with or without joint swelling, myalgia.

Reproductive system and breast disorders: Amenorrhoea, breast enlargement, gynaecomastia, lactation, failure of ejaculation, impotence, decreased libido.

Acute overdosage may produce acute hypotension with other responses attributable to brain and gastrointestinal malfunction (excessive sedation, weakness, bradycardia, dizziness, light-headedness, constipation, distension, flatus, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting).

If ingestion is recent emesis may be induced or gastric lavage performed. There is no specific antidote, but Methyldopa is dialysable.

Treatment is largely symptomatic but if necessary intravenous infusion may be given to promote urinary excretion and pressor agents given cautiously.

Special attention should be directed towards cardiac rate and output, blood volume, electrolyte balance, paralytic ileus, urinary function and cerebral activity. Administration of sympathomimetic agents may be indicated. When chronic overdosage is suspected Methyldopa should be discontinued.

Methyldopa is an antihypertensive agent which may act centrally by stimulating α₂-adrenergic receptors.

Methyldopa is incompletely and variably absorbed from the GI tract. It is partly conjugated, mainly to the O-sulphate, and is excreted by the kidneys. Elimination follows a biphasic pattern with a half-life of about 1.7 hours during the initial phase. Plasma protein binding is reported to be minimal. It crosses the placenta and small amounts appear in breast milk.

There are no pre-clinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of the SPC.

Also contains: polyvidone, sodium edetate, magnesium stearate, crospovidone, precipitated silica, macrogol, talc, E104, E110, E132, E171, E172, E330, E460, E464.

None known.

Shelf-life

Three years from the date of manufacture.

Shelf-life after dilution/reconstitution

Not applicable.

Shelf-life after first opening

Not applicable.

Store below 25°C in a dry place.

Protect from light.

The product containers are rigid injection moulded polypropylene or injection blow-moulded polyethylene containers and snap-on polyethylene lids; in case any supply difficulties should arise the alternative is amber glass containers with screw caps.

The product may also be supplied in blister packs in cartons:

a) Carton: Printed carton manufactured from white folding box board.

b) Blister pack: (i) 250µm white rigid PVC. (ii) Surface printed 20µm hard temper aluminium foil with 5-7g/M² PVC and PVdC compatible heat seal lacquer on the reverse side.

Pack size: 28s, 56s, 60s, 84s, 100s, 112s, 120s, 168s, 180s, 250s, 500s, 1000s.

Product may also be supplied in bulk packs, for reassembly purposes only, in polybags contained in tins, skillets or polybuckets filled with suitable cushioning material. Bulk packs are included for temporary storage of the finished product before final packaging into the proposed marketing containers.

Maximum size of bulk packs: 50,000.

Not applicable.

Name or style and permanent address of registered place of business of the holder of the Marketing Authorisation:

Actavis UK Limited

(Trading style: Actavis)

Whiddon Valley

BARNSTAPLE

N Devon EX32 8NS

PL 0142/0092

19.10.02

(Renewed: 29.9.82; 29.9.87; 19.10.92; 19.10.97)

12/04/2007