Methyldopa 250 mg Tablet, Film Coated, 180-count
🆔 Identity & classification
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🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist class.
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🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
Methyldopa is used to treat high blood pressure. Methyldopa is in a class of medications called antihypertensives. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. High blood pressure is a common condition and when not treated, can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, making lifestyle changes will also help to control your blood pres...
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- Methyldopa is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range helps protect your heart, kidneys, and blood vessels over time. It ca...
- Yes, drowsiness is the most common side effect, especially when you first start or when your dose goes up. The good news is that it often gets better after a few days. Your doctor...
- Will methyldopa make me feel tired or drowsy?
- Two rare but important ones to know about. First, methyldopa can affect your liver — if you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or a fever especially in the first fe...
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Methyldopa — tap one for details:
Methyldopa may be associated with lower levels of 1 nutrient — worth a chat with your pharmacist, not a cause for alarm.
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Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII XF417D3PSL
Anhydrous citric acid is a sour, crystalline powder derived from citric acid with water removed. In medicines, it acts as a buffer to control pH, adds tartness to improve taste, and helps tablets disintegrate.
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Ethylcellulose is a plant-derived thickener and film-former made by chemically modifying cellulose. It's used as a binder to hold tablet ingredients together, a coating to control how quickly medicine is released, or a thickener in liquid formulations.
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Hypromellose is a plant-based thickener made from cellulose. It's used in medicines as a binder to hold ingredients together, a coating for tablets, and a thickener for liquids.
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Lactose monohydrate is a natural sugar derived from milk. It serves as a filler and binder in tablets and capsules, helping create the proper size, texture, and consistency of the medicine.
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UNII 70097M6I30
Magnesium stearate is a salt made from magnesium and stearic acid, a fatty substance. It's used in tablets and capsules as a lubricant and glidant to help ingredients flow smoothly during manufacturing and prevent sticking.
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UNII OP1R32D61U
Microcrystalline cellulose is a purified form of cellulose, a natural fiber from plant sources. It acts as a binder and filler in tablets and capsules, helping hold ingredients together and give the medicine its shape and size.
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UNII 3WJQ0SDW1A
Polyethylene glycol is a synthetic liquid or solid polymer used in medicines as a solvent, lubricant, and humectant. It helps dissolve active ingredients, reduces friction during manufacturing, and retains moisture in the final product.
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Silicon dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral used as a glidant and anti-caking agent. It helps powder ingredients flow smoothly and prevents clumping during manufacturing and storage.
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UNII O8232NY3SJ
A plant-based carbohydrate derived from corn kernels. It acts as a filler to add bulk, a binder to hold ingredients together, and a disintegrant to help the tablet break apart in your stomach for absorption.
9 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
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ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per ea | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $7.500 | $1,349.98 / 180 tablets |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data. | |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $6.38 | $1,149.28 / 180 tablets |
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🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methyldopa 250 mgthis 62135-0321-18 | Chartwell | 180 tablets | $7.500 | — | Availability likely | — |
| Methyldopa 250 mg 64980-0571-01 | Rising | 100 tablets | $7.500 | — | Availability likely | — |
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⏳ Availability & generic status
FDA-approved generic versions are listed, and recent pricing/market data suggests they may be available — see Therapeutic equivalents.
Where does this data come from?
💊 Medicaid utilization by pack size
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Age at onset
Reporter sex
Serious outcomes
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📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Per unit | Per pack | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62135-0321-18 You're viewing this | 180 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (62135-321-18) | $7.50 / ea | $1,349.98 | 2022-11-22 | Active |
| 62135-0321-90 | 90 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (62135-321-90) | $7.50 / ea | $674.99 | 2022-11-22 | Active |
You're viewing the largest of 2 pack sizes for this product.
This pack has the lowest per-ea cost of the 2 priced pack sizes ($7.50 NADAC).
Pack size FAQ
What quantity is in NDC 62135-0321-18?
What is the difference between NDC 62135-0321-18 and NDC 62135-0321-90?
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of Methyldopa 250 mg Tablet, Film Coated?
Prices are the latest CMS NADAC pharmacy acquisition cost per NDC; per-pack figures are per-unit × pack quantity, shown only when the pack is denominated in the same measure NADAC prices.
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATION AND USAGE Hypertension.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ADULTS Initiation of Therapy The usual starting dosage of Methyldopa is 250 mg two or three times a day in the first 48 hours. The daily dosage then may be increased or decreased, preferably at intervals of not less than two days, until an adequate response is achieved. To minimize the sedation, start dosage increases in the evening.
By adjustment of dosage, morning hypotension may be prevented without sacrificing control of afternoon blood pressure. When methyldopa is given to patients on other antihypertensives, the dose of these agents may need to be adjusted to effect a smooth transition. When Methyldopa is given with antihypertensives other than thiazides, the initial dosage of Methyldopa should be limited to 500 mg daily in divided doses; when Methyldopa is added to a thiazide, the dosage of thiazide need not be changed.
Maintenance Therapy The usual daily dosage of Methyldopa is 500 mg to 2 g in two to four doses. Although occasional patients have responded to higher doses, the maximum recommended daily dosage is 3 g. Once an effective dosage range is attained, a smooth blood pressure response occurs in most patients in 12 to 24 hours.
Since methyldopa has a relatively short duration of action, withdrawal is followed by return of hypertension usually within 48 hours. This is not complicated by an overshoot of blood pressure. Occasionally tolerance may occur, usually between the second and third month of therapy.
Adding a diuretic or increasing the dosage of methyldopa frequently will restore effective control of blood pressure. 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 2 g of methyldopa daily. Methyldopa is largely excreted by the kidney and patients with impaired renal function may respond to smaller doses.
Syncope in older patients may be related to an increased sensitivity and advanced arteriosclerotic vascular disease. This may be avoided by lower doses. ( See PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use ) PEDIATRIC PATIENTS Initial dosage is based on 10 mg/kg of body weight daily in two to four doses.
The daily dosage then is increased or decreased until an adequate response is achieved. The maximum dosage is 65 mg/kg or 3 g daily, whichever is less. ( See PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use )
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Methyldopa is contraindicated in patients: — with active hepatic disease, such as acute hepatitis and active cirrhosis — with liver disorders previously associated with methyldopa therapy ( see WARNINGS ) — with hypersensitivity to any component of these products. — on therapy with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS It is important to recognize that a positive Coombs test, hemolytic anemia, and liver disorders may occur with methyldopa therapy. The rare occurrences of hemolytic anemia or liver disorders could lead to potentially fatal complications unless properly recognized and managed. Read this section carefully to understand these reactions.
With prolonged methyldopa therapy, 10 to 20 percent of patients develop a positive direct Coombs test which usually occurs between 6 and 12 months of methyldopa therapy. Lowest incidence is at daily dosage of 1 g or less. This on rare occasions may be associated with hemolytic anemia, which could lead to potentially fatal complications.
One cannot predict which patients with a positive direct Coombs test may develop hemolytic anemia. Prior existence or development of a positive direct Coombs test is not in itself a contraindication to use of methyldopa. If a positive Coombs test develops during methyldopa therapy, the physician should determine whether hemolytic anemia exists and whether the positive Coombs test may be a problem.
For example, in addition to a positive direct Coombs test there is less often a positive indirect Coombs test which may interfere with cross matching of blood. Before treatment is started, it is desirable to do a blood count (hematocrit, hemoglobin, or red cell count) for a baseline or to establish whether there is anemia. Periodic blood counts should be done during therapy to detect hemolytic anemia.
It may be useful to do a direct Coombs test before therapy and at 6 and 12 months after the start of therapy. If Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia occurs, the cause may be methyldopa and the drug should be discontinued. Usually the anemia remits promptly.
If not, corticosteroids may be given and other causes of anemia should be considered. If the hemolytic anemia is related to methyldopa, the drug should not be reinstituted. When methyldopa causes Coombs positivity alone or with hemolytic anemia, the red cell is usually coated with gamma globulin of the IgG (gamma G) class only.
The positive Coombs test may not revert to normal until weeks to months after methyldopa is stopped. Should the need for transfusion arise in a patient receiving methyldopa, both a direct and an indirect Coombs test should be performed. In the absence of hemolytic anemia, usually only the direct Coombs test will be positive.
A positive direct Coombs test alone will not interfere with typing or cross matching. If the indirect Coombs test is also positive, problems may arise in the major cross match and the assistance of a hematologist or transfusion expert will be needed. Occasionally, fever has occurred within the first 3 weeks of methyldopa therapy, associated in some cases with eosinophilia or abnormalities in one or more liver function tests, such as serum alkaline phosphatase, serum transaminases (SGOT, SGPT), bilirubin, and prothrombin time.
Jaundice, with or without fever, may occur with onset usually within the first 2 to 3 months of therapy. In some patients the findings are consistent with those of cholestasis. In others the findings are consistent with hepatitis and hepatocellular injury.
Rarely, fatal hepatic necrosis has been reported after use of methyldopa. These hepatic changes may represent hypersensitivity reactions. Periodic determinations of hepatic function should be done particularly during the first 6 to 12 weeks of therapy or whenever an unexplained fever occurs.
If fever, abnormalities in liver function tests, or jaundice appear, stop therapy with methyldopa. If caused by methyldopa, the temperature and abnormalities in liver function characteristically have reverted to normal when the drug was discontinued. Methyldopa should not be reinstituted in such patients.
Rarely, a reversible reduction of the white blood cell count with a primary effect on the granulocytes has been seen. The granulocyte count returned promptly to normal on discontinuance of the drug. Rare cases…
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS Sedation, usually transient, may occur during the initial period of therapy or whenever the dose is increased. Headache, asthenia, or weakness may be noted as early and transient symptoms. However, significant adverse effects due to Methyldopa have been infrequent and this agent usually is well tolerated.
The following adverse reactions have been reported and, within each category, are listed in order of decreasing severity. Cardiovascular: Aggravation of angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, prolonged carotid sinus hypersensitivity, orthostatic hypotension (decrease daily dosage), edema or weight gain, bradycardia. Digestive: Pancreatitis, colitis, vomiting, diarrhea, sialadenitis, sore or “black” tongue, nausea, constipation, distension, flatus, dryness of mouth.
Endocrine: Hyperprolactinemia. Hematologic: Bone marrow depression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia; positive tests for antinuclear antibody, LE cells, and rheumatoid factor, positive Coombs test. Hepatic: Liver disorders including hepatitis, jaundice, abnormal liver function tests ( see WARNINGS ).
Hypersensitivity: Myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis, lupus-like syndrome, drug-related fever, eosinophilia. Nervous System/Psychiatric: Parkinsonism, Bell's palsy, decreased mental acuity, involuntary choreoathetotic movements, symptoms of cerebrovascular insufficiency, psychic disturbances including nightmares and reversible mild psychoses or depression, headache, sedation, asthenia or weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, paresthesias. Metabolic: Rise in BUN.
Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, with or without joint swelling; myalgia. Respiratory: Nasal stuffiness. Skin: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, rash.
Urogenital: Amenorrhea, breast enlargement, gynecomastia, lactation, impotence, decreased libido.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE Acute overdosage may produce acute hypotension with other responses attributable to brain and gastrointestinal malfunction (excessive sedation, weakness, bradycardia, dizziness, lightheadedness, constipation, distention, flatus, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting). In the event of overdosage, symptomatic and supportive measures should be employed. When ingestion is recent, gastric lavage or emesis may reduce absorption.
When ingestion has been earlier, infusions may be helpful to promote urinary excretion. Otherwise, management includes special attention to cardiac rate and output, blood volume, electrolyte balance, paralytic ileus, urinary function and cerebral activity. Sympathomimetic drugs [e.g., levarterenol, epinephrine, ARAMINE * (Metaraminol Bitartrate)] may be indicated.
Methyldopa is dialyzable. The oral LD 50 of methyldopa is greater than 1.5 g/kg in both the mouse and the rat.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Methyldopa is an aromatic-amino-acid decarboxylase inhibitor in animals and in man. Although the mechanism of action has yet to be conclusively demonstrated, the antihypertensive effect of methyldopa probably is due to its metabolism to alpha-methylnorepinephrine, which then lowers arterial pressure by stimulation of central inhibitory alpha-adrenergic receptors, false neurotransmission, and/or reduction of plasma renin activity. Methyldopa has been shown to cause a net reduction in the tissue concentration of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
Only methyldopa, the L -isomer of alpha-methyldopa, has the ability to inhibit dopa decarboxylase and to deplete animal tissues of norepinephrine. In man the antihypertensive activity appears to be due solely to the L -isomer. About twice the dose of the racemate ( DL -alpha-methyldopa) is required for equal antihypertensive effect.
Methyldopa has no direct effect on cardiac function and usually does not reduce glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow, or filtration fraction. Cardiac output usually is maintained without cardiac acceleration. In some patients the heart rate is slowed.
Normal or elevated plasma renin activity may decrease in the course of methyldopa therapy. Methyldopa reduces both supine and standing blood pressure. Methyldopa usually produces highly effective lowering of the supine pressure with infrequent symptomatic postural hypotension.
Exercise hypotension and diurnal blood pressure variations rarely occur. Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism The maximum decrease in blood pressure occurs four to six hours after oral dosage. Once an effective dosage level is attained, a smooth blood pressure response occurs in most patients in 12 to 24 hours.
After withdrawal, blood pressure usually returns to pretreatment levels within 24-48 hours. Methyldopa is extensively metabolized. The known urinary metabolites are: α-methyldopa mono-0-sulfate; 3-0-methyl-α-methyldopa; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetone; α-methyldopamine; 3-0-methyl-α-methyldopamine and their conjugates.
Approximately 70% of the drug which is absorbed is excreted in the urine as methyldopa and its mono-0-sulfate conjugate. The renal clearance is about 130 mL/min in normal subjects and is diminished in renal insufficiency. The plasma half-life of methyldopa is 105 minutes.
After oral doses, excretion is essentially complete in 36 hours. Methyldopa crosses the placental barrier, appears in cord blood, and appears in breast milk.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Methyldopa Tablets, USP , 250 mg, are White, round film coated tablets, debossed with “CE” over “87” on one side and plain on the other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 62135-321-90 bottles of 90 NDC 62135-321-18 bottles of 180 Methyldopa Tablets, USP , 500 mg, are White, round film coated tablets, debossed with “CE” over “88” on one side and plain on the other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 62135-322-90 bottles of 90 NDC 62135-322-18 bottles of 180 Storage Store Methyldopa Tablets at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP].
Manufactured for: Chartwell RX, LLC Congers, NY 10920 L71158 Rev. 11/2022
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Methyldopa is an antihypertensive drug. Methyldopa, the L -isomer of alpha-methyldopa, is levo-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-methylalanine. Its empirical formula is C 10 H 13 NO 4 , with a molecular weight of 211.22, and its structural formula is: Methyldopa is a white to yellowish white, odorless fine powder, and is soluble in water.
Methyldopa Tablets, USP is supplied as tablets, for oral use, in two strengths: 250 mg and 500 mg of methyldopa per tablet. Inactive ingredients in the tablets are: lactose monohydrate, hypromellose , citric acid, corn starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, ethyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, and polyethylene glycol. image description