Aldoril Side Effects

Generic name: hydrochlorothiazide / methyldopa

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 16, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Aldoril Side Effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide / methyldopa. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Aldoril.

Applies to hydrochlorothiazide / methyldopa: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, since they may tend to increase your blood pressure.

This medicine may cause a loss of potassium from your body:

• To help prevent this, your doctor may want you to:
  • eat or drink foods that have a high potassium content (for example, orange or other citrus fruit juices), or
  • take a potassium supplement, or
  • take another medicine to help prevent the loss of the potassium in the first place.
• It is very important to follow these directions. Also, it is important not to change your diet on your own. This is more important if you are already on a special diet (as for diabetes), or if you are taking a potassium supplement or a medicine to reduce potassium loss. Extra potassium may not be necessary and, in some cases, too much potassium could be harmful.

Check with your doctor if you become sick and have severe or continuing vomiting or diarrhea. These problems may cause you to lose additional water and potassium.

Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine.

If you have a fever and there seems to be no reason for it, check with your doctor. This is especially important during the first few weeks you take this medicine since fever may be a sign of a serious reaction to methyldopa.

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy or less alert than they are normally. This is more likely to happen when you begin to take it or when you increase the amount of medicine you are taking. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help, but if the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

The dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting is also more likely to occur if you drink alcohol, stand for long periods of time, exercise, or if the weather is hot. Drinking alcoholic beverages may also make the drowsiness worse. While you are taking this medicine, be careful in the amount of alcohol you drink. Also, use extra care during exercise or hot weather or if you must stand for long periods of time.

For diabetic patients:

• This medicine may raise blood sugar levels. While you are using this medicine, be especially careful in testing for sugar in your urine. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

Hydrochlorothiazide may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking this medicine:

• Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
• Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.
• Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• Apply a sun block lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.
• Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor

Before you have any medical tests, tell the doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Common side effects of Aldoril

Some side effects of hydrochlorothiazide / methyldopa may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of Aldoril

Along with its needed effects, hydrochlorothiazide / methyldopa may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydrochlorothiazide / methyldopa:

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydrochlorothiazide / methyldopa:

Signs and symptoms of too much potassium loss

• dry mouth
• increased thirst
• irregular heartbeats
• muscle cramps or pain
• nausea or vomiting
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weak pulse

For healthcare professionals

Applies to hydrochlorothiazide / methyldopa: oral tablet.

Cardiovascular adverse events

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, necrotizing angiitis, vasculitis

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Angina pectoris aggravated, congestive heart failure, prolonged carotid sinus hypersensitivity, orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Cutaneous vasculitis, photosensitivity, urticaria, rash, purpura, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, alopecia

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, rash^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis, diarrhea, vomiting, sialadenitis, cramping, constipation, gastric irritation, nausea

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis, colitis, vomiting, diarrhea, sialadenitis, sore tongue, black tongue, nausea, constipation, distention, flatus, dry mouth^[Ref]

Hematologic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Bone marrow depression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, Coombs test positive, eosinophilia^[Ref]

Nervous system

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Vertigo, paresthesias, dizziness, headache

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Sedation, headache, Parkinsonism, Bell's palsy, mental acuity decreased, involuntary choreoathetotic movements, cerebrovascular insufficiency symptoms, dizziness, lightheadedness, paresthesias^[Ref]

Hepatic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Liver disorders, hepatitis, jaundice, liver function tests abnormal^[Ref]

Other

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Weakness, fever

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Asthenia, weakness, edema, drug-related fever, breast enlargement, gynecomastia, lactation^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Restlessness

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Psychic disturbances, nightmares, reversible mild psychoses, depression, libido decreased^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Glycosuria, impotence

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Amenorrhea, impotence^[Ref]

Immunologic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reactions

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Antinuclear antibody test positive, LE cells, rheumatoid factor^[Ref]

Metabolic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Anorexia, electrolyte imbalance, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Weight gain^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Muscle spasm

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Lupus-like syndrome, arthralgia, myalgia^[Ref]

Renal

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Renal failure, renal dysfunction, interstitial nephritis

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: BUN increased^[Ref]

Respiratory

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Respiratory distress, pneumonitis, pulmonary edema

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Nasal stuffiness^[Ref]

Endocrine

Methyldopa:

• Frequency not reported: Hyperprolactinemia^[Ref]

Ocular

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Transient blurred vision, xanthopsia^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Aldoril side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer