Methyldopa

Methyldopa Brand names, Methyldopa Analogs

Methyldopa Brand Names Mixture

No information avaliable

Methyldopa Chemical_Formula

C₁₀H₁₃NO₄

Methyldopa RX_link

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/methyl.htm

Methyldopa fda sheet

Methyldopa FDA

Methyldopa msds (material safety sheet)

Methyldopa MSDS

Methyldopa Synthesis Reference

No information avaliable

Methyldopa Molecular Weight

211.215 g/mol

Methyldopa Melting Point

300 ^oC

Methyldopa H₂O Solubility

1000 mg/L

Methyldopa State

Solid

Methyldopa LogP

-1.849

Methyldopa Dosage Forms

Liquid for injection; Tablets for oral use (125 mg, 250 mg, or 500 mg)

Methyldopa Indication

For use in the treatment of hypertension.

Methyldopa Pharmacology

Methyldopa is an aromatic-amino-acid decarboxylase inhibitor in animals and in man. Only methyldopa, the L-isomer of alpha-methyldopa, has the ability to inhibit dopa decarboxylase and to deplete animal tissues of norepinephrine. In man the antihypertensive activity appears to be due solely to the L-isomer. About twice the dose of the racemate (DL-alpha-methyldopa) is required for equal antihypertensive effect. Methyldopa has no direct effect on cardiac function and usually does not reduce glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow, or filtration fraction. Cardiac output usually is maintained without cardiac acceleration. In some patients the heart rate is slowed. Normal or elevated plasma renin activity may decrease in the course of methyldopa therapy. Methyldopa reduces both supine and standing blood pressure. Methyldopa usually produces highly effective lowering of the supine pressure with infrequent symptomatic postural hypotension. Exercise hypotension and diurnal blood pressure variations rarely occur.

Methyldopa Absorption

Absorption from the gastrointestinal tract is variable but averages approximately 50%.

Methyldopa side effects and Toxicity

The oral LD₅₀ of methyldopa is greater than 1.5 g/kg in both the mouse and the rat. Symptoms of overdose include bloating, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, extreme drowsiness, gas, light-headedness, nausea, severely low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, vomiting, and weakness.

Methyldopa Patient Information