text: Medical uses Methyldopa is used in the clinical treatment of the following disorders:
  Hypertension (or high blood pressure)
  Gestational hypertension (or pregnancy-induced hypertension) and pre-eclampsia.
  Side effects
  Methyldopa is capable of inducing a number of adverse side effects, which range from mild to severe. Nevertheless, they are generally mild when the dose is less than 1 gram per day. Side effects may include:
  Psychological
  Depression or even suicidal ideation, as well as nightmares
  Apathy or anhedonia, as well as dysphoria
  Anxiety, especially of the social anxiety variant
  Decreased alertness, awareness, and wakefulness
  Impaired attention, focus, and concentration
  Decreased desire, drive, and motivation
  Fatigue or lethargy or malaise or lassitude
  Sedation or drowsiness or somnolence or sleepiness
  Agitation or restlessness
  Cognitive and memory impairment
  Derealization or depersonalization, as well as mild psychosis
  Sexual dysfunction including impaired libido, desire, and drive
  Physiological
  Dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo
  Miosis or pupil constriction
  Xerostomia or dry mouth
  Gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea or constipation
  Headache or migraine
  Myalgia or muscle aches, arthralgia or joint pain, or paresthesia ("pins and needles")
  Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
  Parkinsonian symptoms such as muscle tremors, rigidity, hypokinesia, or balance or postural instability
  Akathisia, ataxia, dyskinesia as well as even tardive dyskinesia, or dystonia
  Bell's palsy or facial paralysis