Methyldopa for hypertension

[Dodgybint]

I've just found out I'm pregnant (7 wks - v. excited but not letting on!) and my GP has advised I need to change my blood pressure medication for the duration.

I've got Graves disease and have been on BP meds & thyroxine for over a year now, but the side effects of Methyldopa look a bit scary to say the least!

I've just started taking them and was wondering if anyone else has any experience (preferably - 'didn't notice a thing, chill out'!) of taking it?

I had to switch my BP meds to Methyldopa when we started trying for a baby.

I found apart from being a bit tired for the first few weeks I had no side effects whatsoever.

They have just had to change my medication to Labetalol, as no chemists can get hold of Methyldopa in Cardiff at the moment ( some kind of manufacturing issue apparently ).

The Labetalol aren't really agreeing with me at all. My skin feels like it's crawling and taking a bath is very uncomfortable. Also being plagued by nightmares since starting them. Spoke to my consultant yesterday about changing them, however only Methyldopa and Labetalol are safe in pregnancy so I have to wait until I can get the Methyldopa again .

So I had no problems with them and wish I was still on them

I found methyldopa fine, except like charl said it did make me feel pretty tired/sleepy for the first couple of weeks (though might be hard to discern from first trimester tiredness!)- then my body adjusted and didn't feel any side effects. Also like charl I've been on labetalol and found it had more side-effects, especially the crawly skin thing (mainly on my scalp) and also postural hypotension (stand up too quickly = v low BP and feel like fainting). However with both I didn't start until 3rd trimester when these meds were used to help manage pre-eclampsia. Was on methydopa for a while (4 months) post-partum (as it & labetalol are also compatible with breastfeeding) and felt fine on it.

Good luck with the pregnancy!

Massive thanks to you both, you've really set my mind at ease.

Charl - I hope you can get some more soon (the pharmacists seem to have plenty over here in E London) the Labetol side effects don't sound very pleasant at all.

I took methyldopa when pregnant. Re side effects: didn't notice a thing, Chill out!
I suppose it might have made me a bit tired but then I was 36-42 weeks pregnant and so pretty tired generally...
Anyway, I felt ok and it did the job.