Do not take Alphamet 250mg tablets if you have:

• ever had a bad reaction, such as an allergy to methyldopa, or to any of the other ingredients (listed in section 6)
• ever had liver disease
• ever had depression
• high blood pressure due to a tumour near your kidney called ‘phaeochromocytoma’ or ‘paraganglioma’.
• been taking a type of medicine called a ‘monoamine oxidase inhibitor’ (MAO inhibitor)
• porphyria (a rare, inherited blood disorder)

Do not take Aldomet if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Aldomet.

Take special care with Alphamet

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Alphamet if you have:

• a blood disorder called haemolytic anaemia
• liver problems
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• fever
• any abnormal movements (involuntary)

Check with your doctor while taking this medicine if you are going to have:

• dialysis
• an operation
• a blood transfusion.

Tests you may have while taking Alphamet

Your doctor may do blood tests to check how your liver is working during the first 6 – 12 weeks. He or she may use similar tests if you have a fever at any time while you are taking Aldomet. Tell your doctor you are taking Aldomet if you have a laboratory test where a urine or blood sample is taken. This is because Aldomet may affect the results of some types of tests.

Rarely, in patients taking Aldomet urine may darken when it is exposed to air after voiding.

If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Aldomet.

Other medicines and Alphamet

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription as some drugs may affect each other’s action. This includes herbal medicines.

Do not take Alphamet if you are taking a type of medicine called a ‘monoamine oxidase inhibitor’ (MAO inhibitor) used to treat depression.

It is particularly important that you tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following before taking Aldomet

• other medicines for high blood pressure (antihypertensives)
• lithium – used to treat some types of depression
• medicines called ‘phenothiazines’ such as chlorpromazine – used for mental illness and sometimes feeling and being sick
• medicines called ‘tricyclic antidepressants’ – used to treat depression
• cough and cold remedies that contain a decongestant
• iron and supplements containing iron, such as multivitamins with minerals

If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Aldomet.

Surgery

If you have to have surgery, including dental, that requires an anaesthetic, you must inform the dentist or hospital that you are taking Aldomet tablets.

Aldomet with alcohol

You are advised not to drink alcohol while taking Alphamet tablets. Discuss this with your doctor if you have any questions.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

You should check with your doctor before taking Alphamet if you are or think you may be pregnant, if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

You may feel drowsy or light-headed while taking Alphamet. If this happens do not drive or use any tools or machines.

How to store Alphamet 250mg tablets

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not use the medicine past the expiry date which is stated on the side of the carton after ‘Exp’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not store above 25°C.

Blisters: Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

Bottles: Keep the container tightly closed in order to protect from light.