Interactions between citranatal-rx(multivitamin, prenatal) and Aldomet (methyldopa)
methyldopa and multivitamin, prenatal (Moderate Drug-Drug)
ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: The oral bioavailability and pharmacologic effects of methyldopa may be decreased during concurrent administration with iron-containing products. The proposed mechanism is chelation of methyldopa by the iron cation, forming an insoluble complex that is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In one study, five hypertensive patients receiving chronic methyldopa therapy (250 mg to 1500 mg daily) all had elevated blood pressure following the addition of ferrous sulfate 325 mg three times daily for 2 weeks. The systolic pressure had increased by more than 15 mmHg in three of the patients and the diastolic pressure increased by more than 10 mmHg in two. Blood pressure returned to baseline within 7 days of discontinuing the iron. In 12 normal subjects, administration of methyldopa 500 mg with ferrous sulfate 325 mg or ferrous gluconate 600 mg resulted in an 88% and 79% reduction, respectively, in the renal excretion of unmetabolized, free methyldopa compared to administration of methyldopa alone. In another study, administration of ferrous sulfate simultaneously with methyldopa reduced the bioavailability of methyldopa by 83%, while administration one hour or two hours before methyldopa reduced its bioavailability by 55% and 42%, respectively.
MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, patients receiving methyldopa in combination with iron-containing products should be advised to separate the times of administration by as much as possible. Patients should be monitored closely for altered hypertensive effect and methyldopa dosage increased as necessary. Selection of an alternative antihypertensive therapy may be necessary.
