Methyldopa

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Aldomet

Pharmacological Mechanism

Centrally-acting α2-adrenergic agonist (active metabolite α-methylnorepinephrine) — reduces sympathetic outflow. Preferred antihypertensive in pregnancy with the longest safety record. Hemolytic anemia + hepatotoxicity at chronic use.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 2h, IV: 2h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 500 mg (Range: 250–3000 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• cardiovascular
• digestive
• immune-hematologic

Pathways It Modulates

• Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis (activator) — central α2 (after AADC conversion to α-methyl-NE)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 38853
• Formula: C10H13NO4
• Molecular weight: 211.22 g/mol
• InChIKey: CJCSPKMFHVPWAR-JTQLQIEISA-N
• SMILES: C[C@](CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)O)(C(=O)O)N

References

• PMID 781212