Methyldopa

Date: September 2024, Version 3.0

Quick read

Methyldopa can be used in pregnancy if recommended by a doctor.

What is it?

Methyldopa is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Benefits

What are the benefits of taking methyldopa in pregnancy?

Methyldopa can help to control high blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of some pregnancy complications.

Risks

Are there any risks of taking methyldopa during pregnancy?

Use of methyldopa in pregnancy is common and there is no concern that it causes harm to the baby in the womb.

If you take methyldopa at the end of pregnancy, your doctor will advise that you switch to a different medicine within a few days of delivery. This is because taking methyldopa after the baby’s birth can increase your chance of low mood and depression.

Alternatives

Are there any alternatives to taking methyldopa?

Possibly. Other medicines can also be used to treat high blood pressure; however, if methyldopa is recommended as treatment for your high blood pressure in pregnancy, this is because your doctor thinks it is the best drug for you. If you have any questions about a medicine, you can discuss them with your doctor or midwife.

No treatment

What if I prefer not to take medicines to treat hypertension?

It is very important to take any medicines prescribed for high blood pressure as not doing so can lead to a potentially serious pregnancy complication called pre-eclampsia.

Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when necessary and will be happy to talk to you about any concerns that you might have. It is important not to stop or change any medicine that you are taking for high blood pressure without first talking this through with your doctor.

Will my baby need extra monitoring?

You will be offered a detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of your routine antenatal care. If you have high blood pressure in pregnancy, you may be offered additional scans at around 32 and 36 weeks to check that your baby is growing normally.

Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken methyldopa?

We do not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes methyldopa.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?

If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.

How can I help to improve drug safety information for pregnant women in the future?

Our online reporting system (MyBump Portal) allows women who are currently pregnant to create a secure record of their pregnancy, collected through a series of questionnaires. You will be asked to enter information about your health, whether or not you take any medicines, your pregnancy outcome and your child's development. You can update your details at any time during pregnancy or afterwards. This information will help us better understand how medicines affect the health of pregnant women and their babies. Please visit the MyBump Portal to register.

General information
Sadly, miscarriage and birth defects can occur in any pregnancy.

Miscarriage occurs in about 1 in every 5 pregnancies, and 1 in every 40 babies are born with a birth defect. This is called the ‘background risk’ and happens whether medication is taken or not.

Most medicines cross the placenta and reach the baby. For many medications this is not a problem. However, some medicines can affect a baby’s growth and development.

If you take regular medication and are planning to conceive, you should discuss whether your medicine is safe to continue with your doctor/health care team before becoming pregnant. If you have an unplanned pregnancy while taking a medicine, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.

If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please make sure that the person prescribing it knows that you are pregnant. If you have any concerns about a medicine, you can check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.

Our Bumps information leaflets provide information about the effects of medicines in pregnancy so that you can decide, together with your healthcare provider, what is best for you and your baby.