Methyldopa

A centrally acting blood pressure medicine, FDA-approved for hypertension.

psilodex.org/m/methyldopa · data v2026.10.05

Clinical contraindication: None listed; No label contraindication covering psilocybin was found. This is not a finding that the combination has been shown to be without risk.
Psilocybin evidence: No psilocybin data
Half-life: ~1.75 h; Approximate, in adults. Source under Interaction below.

Named in state rules?

Not namedColorado Condition rules (3)

Not namedOregon

PendingNew Mexico

Cite asPsilodex, “Methyldopa”, v2026.10.05. psilodex.org/m/methyldopa

Clinical data and state rules are separate facts. Both are shown; neither is a decision.

What it is used for

FDA status

FDA-approved

Availability

Generic only in US

FDA-approved for

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Sources [1]

Other safety

Warnings: positive Coombs test, hemolytic anemia and liver disorders may occur, rarely with potentially fatal complications.

About the medication itself, separate from any interaction with psilocybin.

Sources [1]

01 Interaction with psilocybin

It may lessen psilocybin's blood pressure rise (not studied with psilocybin). Also, its label lists sedation, depression and mild psychoses.

Detail Methyldopa is a centrally acting blood pressure medicine. It may lessen psilocybin's blood pressure rise, though there are no psilocybin data. Also, sedation is common early in treatment. Its label lists nightmares, depression and reversible mild psychoses among adverse reactions. Its use with MAO inhibitors is contraindicated. Sources [1]

Human data with psilocybin: No psilocybin data; based on how it works and its label
Half-life: ~1.75 h (105 min) (FDA label, checked 2026-10-04)

Evidence types on this record

No psilocybin dataNo psilocybin data: no human data with psilocybin or another classic psychedelic; the text draws on the medication's own pharmacology and its label or reference facts

02 Pharmacology relevant to psilocybin

4 listed · counted on reports

Sedating or CNS depressant: Slows the central nervous system: drowsiness, slower reactions and impaired coordination, and slowed breathing at high doses. Effects add with other sedating substances. Sources [1]
Liver injury: The label or source warns of liver injury, from raised liver enzymes to liver failure. Liver disease also affects how the body clears psilocin. Sources [1]
Lowers blood pressure or causes orthostasis: Lowers blood pressure, or causes a drop on standing (orthostasis) that can bring dizziness or fainting. Sources [1]
Psychiatric reactions: The label or source warns of psychiatric effects such as psychosis, mania, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts or severe mood or behavior changes. Psilocybin can also bring up strong emotions, so these warnings are relevant to screening. Sources [1]

03 State rules

Plain-language summary · official text governs

CO4 CCR 755-1

Not namedCondition rules (3)

No provision names this medication or its class.

Colorado · checked 2026-10-04

OROAR 333-333

Not named

No provision names this medication or its class.

Oregon · checked 2026-10-04

NM7.35.3 NMAC (proposed)

Pending

New Mexico's clinical rules (proposed 7.35.3 NMAC) are not final. No provision naming this medication has been found.

New Mexico · checked 2026-10-04

04 Conditions to ask about

Screening items in state rules

This medication is usually taken for a condition. State rules screen for some conditions directly, so the medication is a prompt to ask about them. Confirm with the participant; never assume a condition from the medication.

Hypertension (provision applies if uncontrolled)
- CO 2.5(A)(2) · Clinical Facilitator licensees
- CO 6.16(F)(2)(a) · Facilitators without a clinical facilitator license
- CO 6.16(F)(1) · All licensees

05 Sources

Methyldopa Tablets, USP (Rising) · FDA label (DailyMed) — Sedating or CNS depressant: Adverse Reactions "Sedation, usually transient, may occur during the initial period of therapy or whenever the dose is increased." | Liver injury: Warnings "It is important to recognize that a positive Coombs test, hemolytic anemia, and liver disorders may occur with methyldopa therapy." | Lowers blood pressure or causes orthostasis: Clinical Pharmacology "It usually produces highly effective lowering of the supine pressure with infrequent symptomatic postural hypotension." | Psychiatric reactions: Adverse Reactions: Nervous System/Psychiatric "psychic disturbances including nightmares and reversible mild psychoses or depression" | Contraindications "on therapy with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors." | Clinical Pharmacology "The plasma half-life of methyldopa is 105 minutes." | revised 2025-03

Record history

v2026.10.02First published.
2026-10-04Last reviewed against its sources.

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