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Details

Stereochemistry ABSOLUTE
Molecular Formula 2C10H13NO4.3H2O
Molecular Weight 476.4749
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED
Defined Stereocenters 2 / 2
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of METHYLDOPA

SMILES

O.O.O.C[C@](N)(CC1=CC=C(O)C(O)=C1)C(O)=O.C[C@](N)(CC2=CC=C(O)C(O)=C2)C(O)=O

InChI

InChIKey=YKFCISHFRZHKHY-NGQGLHOPSA-N
InChI=1S/2C10H13NO4.3H2O/c2*1-10(11,9(14)15)5-6-2-3-7(12)8(13)4-6;;;/h2*2-4,12-13H,5,11H2,1H3,(H,14,15);3*1H2/t2*10-;;;/m00.../s1

HIDE SMILES / InChI
Methyldopate hydrochloride [levo-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-methylalanine, ethyl ester hydrochloride] is the ethyl ester of methyldopa, supplied as the hydrochloride salt with a molecular weight of 275.73. Methyldopate hydrochloride is more soluble and stable in solution than methyldopa and is the preferred form for intravenous use. Methyldopate hydrochloride is an alpha adrenergic agonist that has both central and peripheral nervous system effects. Its primary clinical use is as an antihypertensive agent.

CNS Activity

Approval Year

TargetsConditions

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Primary
ALDOMET

Approved Use

INDICATION AND USAGE: Hypertension.

Launch Date

1962
Primary
ALDOMET

Approved Use

INDICATION AND USAGE: Hypertension.

Launch Date

1962
Primary
ALDOMET

Approved Use

INDICATION AND USAGE: Hypertension.

Launch Date

1962
Primary
Methyldopate hydrochloride

Approved Use

Hypertension, when parenteral medication is indicated. The treatment of hypertensive crises may be initiated with Methyldopate HCl Injection.

Launch Date

1995
Cmax

Cmax

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
771.3 ng/mL
250 mg single, oral
dose: 250 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METHYLDOPA plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: FASTED
AUC

AUC

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
5352.9 ng × h/mL
250 mg single, oral
dose: 250 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METHYLDOPA plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: FASTED
4.54 μg × h/mL
100 mg single, intravenous
dose: 100 mg
route of administration: Intravenous
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METHYLDOPA plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
T1/2

T1/2

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
12.6 h
250 mg single, oral
dose: 250 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METHYLDOPA plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: FASTED
1.28 h
100 mg single, intravenous
dose: 100 mg
route of administration: Intravenous
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METHYLDOPA plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
Funbound

Funbound

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
85%
100 mg single, intravenous
dose: 100 mg
route of administration: Intravenous
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
METHYLDOPA plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
Doses

Doses

DosePopulationAdverse events​
2.5 g single, oral
Dose: 2.5 g
Route: oral
Route: single
Dose: 2.5 g
Sources:
unknown, 19
Health Status: unknown
Age Group: 19
Sex: M
Sources:
Other AEs: Coma...
Other AEs:
Coma (grade 1)
Sources:
2326 mg multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 2326 mg
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 2326 mg
Sources:
unhealthy, 36-68
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: 36-68
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Disc. AE: Depression, Tiredness...
AEs leading to
discontinuation/dose reduction:
Depression (2 patients)
Tiredness (2 patients)
Diarrhoea (1 patient)
Rash (1 patient)
Blackout (1 patient)
Sources:
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Other AEs: Somnolence, Dry mouth...
Other AEs:
Somnolence (15 patients)
Dry mouth (12 patients)
Malaise (6 patients)
Constipation (5 patients)
Anorexia (5 patients)
Diarrhoea (3 patients)
Depression (2 patients)
Weight gain (2 patients)
Mental confusion (1 patient)
Postural hypotension (1 patient)
Sources:
AEs

AEs

AESignificanceDosePopulation
Coma grade 1
2.5 g single, oral
Dose: 2.5 g
Route: oral
Route: single
Dose: 2.5 g
Sources:
unknown, 19
Health Status: unknown
Age Group: 19
Sex: M
Sources:
Blackout 1 patient
Disc. AE
2326 mg multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 2326 mg
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 2326 mg
Sources:
unhealthy, 36-68
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: 36-68
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Diarrhoea 1 patient
Disc. AE
2326 mg multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 2326 mg
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 2326 mg
Sources:
unhealthy, 36-68
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: 36-68
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Rash 1 patient
Disc. AE
2326 mg multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 2326 mg
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 2326 mg
Sources:
unhealthy, 36-68
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: 36-68
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Depression 2 patients
Disc. AE
2326 mg multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 2326 mg
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 2326 mg
Sources:
unhealthy, 36-68
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: 36-68
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Tiredness 2 patients
Disc. AE
2326 mg multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 2326 mg
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 2326 mg
Sources:
unhealthy, 36-68
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: 36-68
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Mental confusion 1 patient
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Postural hypotension 1 patient
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Dry mouth 12 patients
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Somnolence 15 patients
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Depression 2 patients
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Weight gain 2 patients
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Diarrhoea 3 patients
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Anorexia 5 patients
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Constipation 5 patients
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Malaise 6 patients
250 mg 4 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg, 4 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Sex: M+F
Sources:
Overview

Overview

CYP3A4CYP2C9CYP2D6hERG

OverviewOther

Other InhibitorOther SubstrateOther Inducer

Drug as victim

Drug as victim

TargetModalityActivityMetaboliteClinical evidence
likely
Tox targets

Tox targets

TargetModalityActivityMetaboliteClinical evidence
Sourcing

Sourcing

Vendor/AggregatorIDURL
PubMed

PubMed

TitleDatePubMed
Delayed hepatotoxicity from methyldopa.
1975 Dec
Acute reactive hepatitis in pregnancy induced by alpha-methyldopa.
1997 Oct
Centrally acting imidazoline I1-receptor agonists: do they have a place in the management of hypertension?
2001
Spectrophotometric determination of certain vicinal dihydroxybenzene derivatives in pharmaceutical preparations.
2001 Apr
Ddc and amd sequences resolve phylogenetic relationships of Drosophila.
2001 Aug
Effect of methyldopa on renal function in rats with L-NAME-induced hypertension in pregnancy.
2001 Aug
Drugs in pregnancy. Antihypertensives.
2001 Dec
Effect of phenobarbital and spironolactone treatment on the oxidative metabolism of antipyrine by rat liver microsomes.
2001 Jan-Feb
NHBPEP report on high blood pressure in pregnancy: a summary for family physicians.
2001 Jul 15
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic alterations of methyldopa in rats with aortic coarctation. A study using microdialysis.
2001 Nov
Juxtaglomerular cell tumor in pregnancy.
2001 Nov
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genetic polymorphism in a Turkish population.
2001 Sep
Excretion of antihypertensive medication into human breast milk: a systematic review.
2002
[Primary aldosteronism and pregnancy: report of 2 cases].
2002 Dec
Relationship between treatment-induced changes in left ventricular mass and blood pressure in black african hypertensive patients: results of the Baragwanath Trial.
2002 Feb 19
Preparation of (R) and (S) alpha methyldopa from a chiral hydantoin containing the alpha phenylethyl group.
2002 Feb-Mar
Brain catecholamine metabolism in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)-deficient mice.
2002 Jan
Rapid-eye-movement sleep in jittery infants.
2002 Jan
Hypertension/preeclampsia.
2002 Jan-Feb
C4 deficiency state in antiphospholipid antibody-related recurrent preeclampsia evolving into systemic lupus erythematosus.
2002 Jul
Detection of alpha-methyldopa on thin-layer plates using pi-acceptors in 1,4-dioxane.
2002 Jul-Aug
Antihypertensive medication compliance in a Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.
2002 Jun
Sympatholytic therapy in primary hypertension: a user friendly role for the future.
2002 Mar
Quantification of methyldopa in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry application to a bioequivalence study.
2002 Mar 5
The effect of antihypertensive drugs on the fetus.
2002 May
Nephropathic cystinosis associated with cardiomyopathy: a 27-year clinical follow-up.
2002 Nov 9
Oral beta-blockers for mild to moderate hypertension during pregnancy.
2003
Determination of antioxidant activity of some drugs using high-pressure liquid chromatography.
2003
Antihypertensive drug-associated sexual dysfunction: a prescription analysis-based study.
2003 Apr-May
Methyldopa supplement for resistant essential hypertension: a prospective randomized placebo control crossover study.
2003 Dec
Antihypertensive efficacy of moxonidine in primary care: a 'real-life' study.
2003 Jul-Aug
Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibition in erythrocytes and liver by BIA 3-202 (1-[3,4-dibydroxy-5-nitrophenyl]-2-phenyl-ethanone).
2003 Jun
Physician gender and antihypertensive prescription pattern in primary care.
2003 Nov
[Clinical observation on the efficacy enhancing and toxicity attenuating effect of nuzhen yangyin granule to the anti-parkinsonism therapy mainly with Medopa].
2003 Nov
A survey of Canadian practitioners regarding the management of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
2004
Preeclampsia with abnormal liver function tests is associated with cholestasis in a subgroup of cases.
2004
[Methyldopa in therapy of hypertension in pregnant women].
2004 Feb
Pheochromocytoma during pregnancy: laparoscopic and conventional surgical treatment of two cases.
2004 Feb
Chronic ethanol administration attenuates imidazoline I1 receptor- or alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated reductions in blood pressure and hemodynamic variability in hypertensive rats.
2004 Feb 6
[Dementia induced by cardiokinetic and anti-hypertensive drugs].
2004 Jan
Oral enalapril-hydrochlorothiazide-methyldopa as first line treatment for severe hypertension in Nigerians.
2004 Jan
Treatment of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: position statement of The North American Menopause Society.
2004 Jan-Feb
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of tranexamic acid in human plasma.
2004 Jun 15
[Centrally-acting antihypertensive drugs].
2004 Mar
[Hypertension in pregnancy].
2004 Mar
Mediated exodus of L-dopa from human epidermal Langerhans cells.
2004 Mar
Drug-induced liver injury.
2004 Mar 1
Differential modulation by estrogen of alpha2-adrenergic and I1-imidazoline receptor-mediated hypotension in female rats.
2004 Oct
Treating high blood pressure in Africans with type 2 diabetes.
2004 Winter
Inadequate control of blood pressure in Nigerians with diabetes.
2004 Winter
Patents

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide
Curator's Comment: When control has been obtained, oral therapy with tablets may be substituted for intravenous therapy, starting with the same dosage schedule used for the parenteral route. The effectiveness and anticipated responses are described in the circular for tablets.
Initial: 250 mg PO q8-12hr for 2 days, increase q2Days PRN Maintenance: 250-1000 mg/day divided q6-12hr PO, usually no more than 3 g/day IV (methyldopate): 250-1000 mg infusion over 30-60 minutes q6-8hr PRN; no more than 4 g/day
Route of Administration: Other
Human uterine microvascular endothelial cells (UtMVEC) (PromoCell, Heidelberg, Germany) were cultured in EGM-2- MV medium (Lonza, Basel, Switzerland) until about 80% confluent. Cells from passage 4-8 were used in this study. Tissue culture plates (24-wells) were coated with undiluted Matrigel (300 μL/well; In Vitro Technologies, Noble Park, Vic., Australia) and polymerized for 30 minutes at 37°C. UtMVECs (100 000 cells/well) were seeded into each well and endothelial cell tubular networks formed within 4 hours of further incubation at 37°C. HTR-8/ SVneo cells (100 000 cells/well) were then added to each well with or without a low dose of TNF-α (0.5 ng/mL) together with methyldopa (5 μg/ mL), labetalol (0.5 μg/mL), hydralazine (10 μg/mL) or clonidine (1.0 μg/ mL) and co-cultured with the endothelial cellular networks. The control co-cultured cells had neither TNF-α nor medications added. After 24 hours of culture, the cells were retrieved from the cellular networks in Matrigel with Cell Recovery Solution (CRS) (In Vitro Technologies) for RNA extraction
Name Type Language
METHYLDOPA
EP   MART.   ORANGE BOOK   USAN   USP   USP-RS   VANDF   WHO-IP  
USAN  
Official Name English
METHYLDOPA SESQUIHYDRATE
MART.   MI   WHO-DD  
Preferred Name English
NSC-760080
Code English
ALDORIL COMPONENT METHYLDOPA
Common Name English
L-3-(3,4-DIHYDROXYPHENYL)-2-METHYLALANINE SESQUIHYDRATE
Common Name English
ALPHA-METHYLDOPA
Common Name English
DOPEGYT
Brand Name English
METHYLDOPUM [WHO-IP LATIN]
Common Name English
L-TYROSINE, 3-HYDROXY-.ALPHA.-METHYL-, SESQUIHYDRATE
Common Name English
L-TYROSINE, 3-HYDROXY-.ALPHA.-METHYL-, HYDRATE (2:3)
Systematic Name English
Methyldopa sesquihydrate [WHO-DD]
Common Name English
PRESINOL
Brand Name English
METHYLDOPA [USAN]
Common Name English
METHYLDOPA [USP-RS]
Common Name English
METHYLDOPA [USP MONOGRAPH]
Common Name English
METHYLDOPA [ORANGE BOOK]
Common Name English
METHYLDOPA [VANDF]
Common Name English
MK-351
Code English
METHYLDOPA SESQUIHYDRATE [MI]
Common Name English
DOPAMET
Brand Name English
METHYLDOPA SESQUIHYDRATE [MART.]
Common Name English
METHYLDOPA [WHO-IP]
Common Name English
METHYLDOPA HYDRATE
JAN  
Systematic Name English
METHYLDOPA [MART.]
Common Name English
MEDOPREN
Brand Name English
METHYLDOPA [EP MONOGRAPH]
Common Name English
ALDOMET
Brand Name English
METHYLDOPA HYDRATE [JAN]
Common Name English
Classification Tree Code System Code
WHO-VATC QC02AB01
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
LIVERTOX NBK548173
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
NCI_THESAURUS C270
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
FDA ORPHAN DRUG 548616
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
WHO-VATC QC02LB01
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
NCI_THESAURUS C66884
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
NDF-RT N0000175554
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
WHO-ESSENTIAL MEDICINES LIST 12.3
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
Code System Code Type Description
DRUG CENTRAL
1762
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
NSC
760080
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
EVMPD
SUB08867MIG
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
CHEBI
61058
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
EPA CompTox
DTXSID5020863
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
DRUG BANK
DB00968
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
DAILYMED
56LH93261Y
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
PUBCHEM
38852
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
LACTMED
Methyldopa
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
RS_ITEM_NUM
1426002
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
ChEMBL
CHEMBL459
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
FDA UNII
56LH93261Y
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
NCI_THESAURUS
C47616
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
RXCUI
6876
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY RxNorm
MESH
D008750
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
MERCK INDEX
m7397
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
CAS
41372-08-1
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
WHO INTERNATIONAL PHARMACOPEIA
METHYLDOPA
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY Description: White to yellowish white, fine powder or lumps; odourless. Solubility: Slightly soluble in water and ethanol (~750 g/l) TS; practically insoluble in ether R. Category: Antihypertensive. Storage: Methyldopa should be kept in a well-closed container, protected from light. Definition: Methyldopa contains not less than 98.0% and not more than 101.0% of C10H13NO4, calculated with reference to the anhydrous substance.
EVMPD
SUB25993
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:50:36 GMT 2025
PRIMARY