side effects of methyldopa while pregnant Posted: 01-27-08 21:36pm
I was prescribed this medicine for my high
blood pressure. I am 13 weeks pregnant and
was hesitant about taking it. I took it
for 3 weeks and felt nauseous all the
time. I had awful stomach upset and all I
could think about was puking. I decided to
stop taking this medicine yesterday. Has
anyone else taken methyldopa and did you
have bad side effects too?
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MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 1975 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
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Posted: 02-08-08 04:37am
Please, try to talk with your doctor.
You mustn't stop taking methyldopa without
consulting your doctor, because abruptly
stopping methyldopa may increase blood
pressure and cause unwanted side effects.
Yes, upset stomach and vomiting are side
effects of methyldopa.
Methyldopa has not been studied in
pregnant women in the first and second
trimesters (the first 6 months of
pregnancy). Studies in pregnant women
during the third trimester (the last 3
months of pregnancy) have not shown that
methyldopa causes birth defects or other
problems.
However, every medicine taken during first
trimester of pregnancy has potential risks
for growth and development of the fetus.
When did you discover that you have
problems with your blood pressure for the
first time?
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silvertigerlily
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 45 Location: Oregon,
Posted: 02-09-08 14:58pm
I stopped talking methyldopa altogether
and I feel alot better. My blood pressure
spikes sometimes and gets high but mostly
it stays about 125/85. I don't think
that's too horrible but my doctor insisted
I take this nasty medication. I am a very
holistic person, I deal with health
problems naturally and I am not the type
to just take a pill because my doctor said
so. I researched it and was appalled that
this medication hasn't been studied for
use in the first and second trimester. My
baby and I am not a guinea pig for my
doctor to experiment with. She assured me
methyldopa is safe but obviously she has
no idea what she is talking about. How can
she know if there haven't been studies? I
am glad I only took it for a few weeks. I
am worried about any harm it has done to
my baby.
To answer your question, I discovered I
had high blood pressure years ago. It runs
in my family, every person has it
including my mom, dad, granparents, and
aunts.
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MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 1975 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 30
Thanked:10
Posted: 02-11-08 04:35am
I'm happy that you are feeling lot
better.
I'm sure I'll act the same if I was in
your situation ( cutting off the
medicine).
The use of medicine is reasonable when
it's more beneficial than harmful (but,
you need firm facts for that)
Blood pressure range of 100/70 - 125/85 is
generally considered to be a normal, so,
keep tracking your blood pressure readings
(you can start a diary) and practice good
diet, exercise, lower your salt intake and
weight.
|
silvertigerlily
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 45 Location: Oregon,
Posted: 02-11-08 17:44pm
Since I changed my diet, my bp has been
alot better. I try to eat alot more
healthy now, no junkfood, pizza, that kind
of stuff. I got a membership at the YMCA
here so I will start swimming at least 3
times a week. Hopefully that will help
too. The things that gets me is that my
dr. told me not to take garlic supplements
which have always helped me with high bp.
She said the reason I shouldn't take them
is because no studies have been done on
how it will effect the pregnancy. Then she
prescribes me something that no studies
have been done on either. I would much
rather take something natural that has
always helped me than some weird chemical
concoction. I'm going to ask her these
question at my next appt. I have read that
methydopa is generally ok to take during
pregnancy, but how does anyone know if no
studies have been done on it? It makes no
sense.
|
MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 1975 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 30
Thanked:10
Posted: 02-25-08 05:50am
Garlic supplements or large amounts of
garlic should be avoided during pregnancy
due to a possible increased risk of
bleeding. In addition, early animal
studies suggest that garlic may cause
contraction of the uterus. Many tinctures
contain high levels of alcohol, and should
be avoided during pregnancy.
You can continue to use garlic in amounts
usually eaten in food.
Its use can cause only small reductions in
blood pressure (<10mmHg).
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