Hypertension during pregnancy is, unfortunately, not uncommon. With a slight increase in pressure in this case, phytopreparations are usually prescribed, which have a weak sedative and calming effect. With persistent hypertension, it becomes necessary to use more serious pharmacological agents.
For example, with frequent increases in pressure to women bearing a child, doctors can prescribe the drug Dopegit. During pregnancy, this medicine is prescribed because one of its main features is that, unlike many other drugs with a similar therapeutic effect, it has absolutely no negative effect on the fetus.
Form of release and composition of the drug
The active ingredient in this medicine is methyldopa sesquihydrate. One tablet usually contains 282 mg. In terms of pure methyldop, this is 250 mg.
Additional components of this tool are:
- magnesium stearate;
- stearic acid;
- cornstarch;
- sodium carboxymethyl starch;
- talc;
- ethylcellulose.
This drug is produced by the pharmacological industry only in the form of ordinary tablets, not coated with any shell. The color of the medicine in this form is light gray. The name of the drug is embossed on the back of each tablet.
What effect does it have on the mother's body
Lower pressure "Dopegyt", including during pregnancy, is capable primarily because getting into the blood and tissues of the patient, its active substance:
- replaces dopamine, which is responsible for increasing pressure, in nerve endings;
- due to stimulation of adrenergic receptors reduces tone;
- reduces the concentration of renin in the blood and reduces vascular resistance;
- reduces blood levels of adrenaline and serotonin.
The advantages of this remedy, in comparison with many analogues, include the fact that it does not directly affect the patient's heart, does not cause tachycardia and does not adversely affect the kidneys.
How quickly it starts to work
In this regard, "Dopegyt" is considered a unique drug. Unlike many other drugs designed to lower blood pressure, it does not begin to act immediately.
The effect of this medication is felt by patients after about 6 hours. At the same time, Dopegit retains its beneficial effect for about 1-2 days in the future. The peak of its influence on the patient's bodythe drug reaches with regular intake according to the scheme chosen by the attending physician on the 3rd day.
When can I take
Assign "Dopegyt" during pregnancy, usually only in the second and third trimester. In the first, taking this medicine, like any other, even the most harmless, is undesirable. This is due primarily to the fact that in the first trimester the internal organs of the child are formed. And taking any drugs during this period can cause irreversible damage.
Not particularly often prescribed in the first weeks of gestation for women "Dopegit" also because the pressure in expectant mothers increases during this period is quite rare. In most cases, this problem begins to bother pregnant women from 12 weeks. Starting from this moment, doctors usually prescribe "Dopegyt" to patients.
Indications and contraindications
According to the instructions for use, "Dopegit" during pregnancy is prescribed mainly only for high blood pressure. Numerous studies have shown that it does not have any harmful effects on the fetus when taken correctly. This drug is able to penetrate into breast milk. But it is also allowed to prescribe it to nursing women.
Of course, this drug, like any other pharmacological agent, has contraindications. It is not allowed to use Dopegyt during pregnancy if the patient has, for example, problems such as:
- depression;
- acute myocardial infarction;
- hemolytic anemia;
- acute hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver;
- hypersensitivity to ingredients;
- pheochromocytoma.
Do not give patients this medicine also if they are treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
"Dopegit" during pregnancy: instructions for use
This medication is best taken before or after meals. At the beginning of treatment, the drug is prescribed to patients, usually in a minimal dose. These can be tablets of 250 mg 2-3 times a day. After two days of such initial treatment, the dose of the drug to patients is gradually increased. The standard amount of Dopegyt for pregnant women is 0.5-1.5 g 2-4 times a day. A maximum of 2 g of this medicine can be taken per day.
The course of treatment with Dopegit during pregnancy usually lasts 2-3 months. Then the dose of the drug is gradually reduced. Since this medicine cannot be canceled abruptly, at the final stage, patients usually take 1 tablet once every 2-3 days. This avoids the shock reaction of the body.
Medication side effects
In some cases, "Dopegit" can have a negative impact on the body of a pregnant woman. In this case, the patient should definitely consult a doctor. Most often, patients experience the following side effects from taking Dopegyt:
- bradycardia, edema, myocarditis;
- headache;
- fatigue, weakness;
- mental disorders, depression, nightmares;
- nasal congestion;
- articularpain;
- vomiting, dry mouth.
When an allergic reaction occurs on the patient's body, urticaria appears. In this case, the drug is replaced with an analogue with another active ingredient.
The consequences of an overdose
If the patient takes too much of this medicine, her blood pressure will drop dramatically in the first place. Also, the consequences of an overdose of Dopegyt are:
- nausea and dizziness;
- retardation;
- intestinal atony;
- constipation.
In the event of an overdose, a pregnant patient should immediately gastric lavage. This is necessary in order to reduce the amount of the drug absorbed into her blood. If necessary, the pregnant woman is also prescribed symptomatic treatment. Unfortunately, doctors have not developed an antidote for this medicine.
How it interacts with other drugs
As already mentioned, this drug is incompatible with MAO inhibitors. Also, Dopegit tablets during pregnancy are prescribed taking into account the fact that:
- the effectiveness of its action decreases when taken simultaneously with phenothiazines, antidepressants, sympathomimetics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, iron preparations;
- the drug is able to enhance its effect in complex treatment with the use of antihypertensive drugs, beta-blockers, tranquilizers, anesthetics;
- the drug can increase lithium toxicity, and in combination with haloperidol increasesdisorientation.
Also, unfortunately, this medicine increases the risk of bleeding.
"Dopegit" during pregnancy: reviews
The advantages of this remedy for pregnant women with hypertension include, first of all, its safety. The effect with increased blood pressure, this remedy, judging by the reviews of patients, is rather weak. But it still lowers the pressure. At the same time, "Dopegyt" is also considered a safer remedy than the popular "Clonidine", which is also often prescribed to women who are carrying a child for high blood pressure.
Drinking "Dopegyt" during pregnancy, in the event that it is prescribed by a gynecologist, many women advise necessarily. Moreover, this drug should be taken regularly. The harm from high blood pressure in the mother to the child can be greater than from this mild medicine.
Analogues of the drug
The drug "Dopegyt", thus - harmless enough. But of course, if necessary, this drug can be replaced with some other drug that also lowers blood pressure. The most popular analogues of "Dopegyt" at the moment are:
- "Alphadopa";
- "Dopanol";
- "Ekibar".
All of these drugs can be prescribed for high blood pressure, including pregnant women. Cheap generic Dopegyt is Dopanol.
