adverse reactions/interactions

IF METHYLDOPA CAUSES RENAL STONES, IT DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN

... But it May Increase an Existing Tendency to Stone For nationRetrospective comparison of 54 hypertensive patients with renal calculi detected by X-ray with a matched control group showedan equal frequency of methyldopa treatment in both groups, and similar mean daily dosage. There was no trend towards moreprolonged use in the patients with renal stones . 16 patients with bilateral stones did show a significant excess of methyldopa use,especially when previous treatment was included (p <0.02). However, methyldopa was excluded as the primary cause ofstoneformation in all but 4.

'On the available evidence, the case for methyldopa causing. or promoting. stoneformation must be considered unproven . . . it would probably be wise to avoidusing methyldopa in hypertensive stone-formers, unless no suitable alternativecan be found.'

Ramsay, L.E.: Medical Journal of Australia 2: 495 (8 Oct 1971)

INPHARMA 29th October, 1977 p5