Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is methyldopa. It treats high blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels. It is important to take medicine for blood pressure every day, even if you feel fine. Otherwise, it can lead to serious problems, like a heart attack, stroke, blindness or kidney failure. 

You should take methyldopa exactly as directed. Be sure to space your doses evenly. 

Most people tolerate this medicine well. Some common side effects could occur, like mild dizziness. To help reduce this, you should stand slowly after sitting or lying down. You could feel a little tired. You should wait until you know how it affects you before doing activities that require you to be alert, like driving. You might have a headache or feel weak or low on energy. These effects are normal if they are mild, and should go away. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. But, do not stop taking it unless your doctor says it's okay. 

As with any medicine, rare but more serious side effects could occur. With methyldopa, these include weight gain or swelling. If you notice these or other unusual changes to your body, you should call your doctor right away. It could also cause problems with the liver or blood. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow you closely and may order blood tests. 

You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines, even if they do not require a prescription. You should never take this medicine with an M.A.O. inhibitor. 

For best results, follow your doctor's advice about diet, exercise, and checking your own blood pressure.