Methyldopa and Carbidopa/Levodopa Interaction

Drug interaction information between Methyldopa and Carbidopa/Levodopa.

Methyldopa and Carbidopa/Levodopa have a documented moderate interaction in FDA labeling.

FDA drug labeling documents a moderate-severity interaction between Methyldopa and Carbidopa/Levodopa. This page displays the available source-record category and label text. The category is not an individual risk estimate or medication-combination direction.

Drug A

Methyldopa

Central Alpha-2 Agonist

Drug B

Carbidopa/Levodopa

Dopamine Precursor Combination

How They Interact

Both of these drugs are processed by the same enzyme in the body. Taking them together can cause the drugs to build up, which may lead to a fast heart rate or changes in blood pressure.

FDA Label Information

7.2 Drugs Metabolized by Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Drugs known to be metabolized by COMT, such as isoproterenol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, dobutamine, alpha-methyldopa, apomorphine, isoetherine, and bitolterol should be administered with caution in patients receiving entacapone regardless of the route of administration (including inhalation), as their interaction may result in increased heart rates, possibly arrhythmias, and excessive changes in blood pressure [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ].

Carbidopa/Levodopa Also Interacts With

View all Carbidopa/Levodopa interactions →

Frequently Asked Questions

What SPL severity band is on file for Methyldopa + Carbidopa/Levodopa?

Compiled FDA labeling labels this pair moderate. That is a source-record field, not an individual medication-combination decision.

Which drug in this pair has the larger labeled-interaction portfolio?

Carbidopa/Levodopa has 13 labeled pairs on file vs Methyldopa's 7. In the moderate band specifically: Methyldopa has 3 (also Ferrous Sulfate, Tranylcypromine); Carbidopa/Levodopa has 8 (also Warfarin, Entacapone, Dobutamine, Dopamine).

What mechanism field is on file for Methyldopa and Carbidopa/Levodopa?

Both of these drugs are processed by the same enzyme in the body. Taking them together can cause the drugs to build up, which may lead to a fast heart rate or changes in blood pressure.

Carbidopa/Levodopa's labeled portfolio outnumbers Methyldopa

SPL source-record counts only. This page's band is moderate · classes on file: Methyldopa (Central Alpha-2 Agonist); Carbidopa/Levodopa (Dopamine Precursor Combination).

Methyldopa

0 major · 3 moderate · 4 minor · 7 total

Carbidopa/Levodopa

0 major · 8 moderate · 5 minor · 13 total

Sources: FDA Drug Labels (SPL) via openFDA (2026). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This registry does not provide individual medication-combination directions.