U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Divider Arrow National Institutes of Health Divider Arrow NCATS

Details

Stereochemistry ABSOLUTE
Molecular Formula C10H13NO4
Molecular Weight 211.2145
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED
Defined Stereocenters 1 / 1
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of METHYLDOPA ANHYDROUS

SMILES

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

InChI

InChIKey=CJCSPKMFHVPWAR-JTQLQIEISA-N
InChI=1S/C10H13NO4/c1-10(11,9(14)15)5-6-2-3-7(12)8(13)4-6/h2-4,12-13H,5,11H2,1H3,(H,14,15)/t10-/m0/s1

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula C10H13NO4
Molecular Weight 211.2145
Charge 0
Count
Stereochemistry ABSOLUTE
Additional Stereochemistry No
Defined Stereocenters 1 / 1
E/Z Centers 0
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED

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
Differential modulation by estrogen of alpha2-adrenergic and I1-imidazoline receptor-mediated hypotension in female rats.
2004-10
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of tranexamic acid in human plasma.
2004-06-15
Drug-induced liver injury.
2004-03-01
[Centrally-acting antihypertensive drugs].
2004-03
[Hypertension in pregnancy].
2004-03
Mediated exodus of L-dopa from human epidermal Langerhans cells.
2004-03
Chronic ethanol administration attenuates imidazoline I1 receptor- or alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated reductions in blood pressure and hemodynamic variability in hypertensive rats.
2004-02-06
[Methyldopa in therapy of hypertension in pregnant women].
2004-02
Pheochromocytoma during pregnancy: laparoscopic and conventional surgical treatment of two cases.
2004-02
Treatment of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: position statement of The North American Menopause Society.
2004-01-13
[Dementia induced by cardiokinetic and anti-hypertensive drugs].
2004-01
Oral enalapril-hydrochlorothiazide-methyldopa as first line treatment for severe hypertension in Nigerians.
2004-01
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
Treating high blood pressure in Africans with type 2 diabetes.
2004
Inadequate control of blood pressure in Nigerians with diabetes.
2004
Methyldopa supplement for resistant essential hypertension: a prospective randomized placebo control crossover study.
2003-12
Nocturnal sleep, daytime sleepiness, and quality of life in stable patients on hemodialysis.
2003-11-21
Physician gender and antihypertensive prescription pattern in primary care.
2003-11
[Clinical observation on the efficacy enhancing and toxicity attenuating effect of nuzhen yangyin granule to the anti-parkinsonism therapy mainly with Medopa].
2003-11
[Circadian blood pressure rhythm in preeclampsia as a predictor of maternal and obstetrical outcome].
2003-10-07
Antihypertensive efficacy of moxonidine in primary care: a 'real-life' study.
2003-08-16
Angiotensin II-receptor-antagonists: further evidence of fetotoxicity but not teratogenicity.
2003-08
Pharmacokinetic profile of methyldopa in the brain of sinaortic-denervated rats.
2003-07
Blood pressure response to out-patient drug treatment of hypertension in 1973-1993 at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
2003-06
Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibition in erythrocytes and liver by BIA 3-202 (1-[3,4-dibydroxy-5-nitrophenyl]-2-phenyl-ethanone).
2003-06
Antihypertensive drug-associated sexual dysfunction: a prescription analysis-based study.
2003-05-08
The aggressive treatment of hypertension.
2003-05-03
Shifting trends in the pharmacologic treatment of hypertension in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: a real-world evaluation of the efficacy, safety, rationality and pharmaco-economics of old and newer antihypertensive drugs.
2003-04
Replacement of antipsychotic and antiepileptic medication by L-alpha-methyldopa in a woman with velocardiofacial syndrome.
2003-03
Binding site of salsolinol: its properties in different regions of the brain and the pituitary gland of the rat.
2003-01
Oral beta-blockers for mild to moderate hypertension during pregnancy.
2003
Determination of antioxidant activity of some drugs using high-pressure liquid chromatography.
2003
Comparative single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of levodopa and 3-O-methyldopa following a new dual-release and a conventional slow-release formulation of levodopa and benserazide in healthy volunteers.
2003
Spectrophotometric investigations of the assay of physiologically active catecholamines in pharmaceutical formulations.
2002-12-13
[Primary aldosteronism and pregnancy: report of 2 cases].
2002-12
Calcium channel blocker, nimodipine, for the treatment of bipolar disorder during pregnancy.
2002-12
Detection of alpha-methyldopa on thin-layer plates using pi-acceptors in 1,4-dioxane.
2002-11-13
Nephropathic cystinosis associated with cardiomyopathy: a 27-year clinical follow-up.
2002-11-09
Analysis of L-dopa in human serum.
2002-11
Pathophysiology and treatment of hot flashes.
2002-11
Immune-mediated drug-induced liver disease.
2002-08
Methyldopa versus no drug treatment in the management of mild pre-eclampsia.
2002-04
Centrally acting imidazoline I1-receptor agonists: do they have a place in the management of hypertension?
2001
Development and trends in the drug treatment of essential hypertension.
1992-12
Autoantibodies associated with lupus induced by diverse drugs target a similar epitope in the (H2A-H2B)-DNA complex.
1992-07
Cardiac hypertrophy and antihypertensive therapy.
1977-09
Dementia induced by methyldopa with haloperidol.
1976-05-27
Dihydroergotamine: an effective treatment for postural hypotension due to antihypertensive drugs (ganglion-blocking agents excepted).
1976
[Use of alpha-methyldopa in the treatment of arterial hypertension].
1975-08-31
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
Substance Class Chemical
Created
by admin
on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
Edited
by admin
on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
Record UNII
M4R0H12F6M
Record Status Validated (UNII)
Record Version
  • Download
Name Type Language
ANHYDROUS METHYLDOPA
MART.  
Preferred Name English
METHYLDOPA ANHYDROUS
Common Name English
J9.247I
Code English
(-)-.ALPHA.-METHYLDOPA
Common Name English
L-.ALPHA.-METHYL-3-(3,4)-DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE
Common Name English
L-TYROSINE, 3-HYDROXY-.ALPHA.-METHYL-
Systematic Name English
METHYLDOPA (LEVOROTATORY)
Common Name English
BAYER-1440L
Code English
(-)-METHYLDOPA
Systematic Name English
ANHYDROUS METHYLDOPA [MART.]
Common Name English
(-)-.ALPHA.-METHYL-3,4-DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE
Systematic Name English
L-.ALPHA.-METHYLDOPA
Common Name English
(2S)-2-AMINO-3-(3,4-DIHYDROXYPHENYL)-2-METHYLPROPANOIC ACID
Systematic Name English
.ALPHA.-METHYL-L-DOPA
Brand Name English
L-3-(3,4-DIHYDROXYPHENYL)-2-METHYLALANINE
Common Name English
Methyldopa [WHO-DD]
Common Name English
METHYL DOPA
Systematic Name English
methyldopa [INN]
Common Name English
METHYLDOPA [MI]
Common Name English
LEDERDOPA
Brand Name English
CARBIDOPA IMPURITY A [EP IMPURITY]
Common Name English
METHYLDOPA [HSDB]
Common Name English
NSC-169916
Code English
METHYLDOPA, ANHYDROUS
Common Name English
.ALPHA.-METHYL-L-3,4-DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE
Common Name English
(S)-(-)-.ALPHA.-METHYLDOPA
Common Name English
Classification Tree Code System Code
WHO-ATC C02AB01
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
NDF-RT N0000175554
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
WHO-ATC C02LB01
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
NDF-RT N0000009918
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
WHO-ATC C02AB
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
Code System Code Type Description
PUBCHEM
38853
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
ECHA (EC/EINECS)
209-089-2
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
RXCUI
1545996
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY RxNorm
EVMPD
SUB08867MIG
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
INN
1110
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
DAILYMED
M4R0H12F6M
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
HSDB
218
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
EPA CompTox
DTXSID5023295
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
NCI_THESAURUS
C175729
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
EVMPD
SUB26433
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
MERCK INDEX
m7397
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY Merck Index
CAS
555-30-6
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
FDA UNII
M4R0H12F6M
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
DRUG BANK
DB00968
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
NSC
169916
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
WIKIPEDIA
METHYLDOPA
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
CHEBI
61058
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:14:40 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
Related Record Type Details
SOLVATE->ANHYDROUS
TARGET -> INHIBITOR
SALT/SOLVATE -> PARENT
SUBSTANCE->BASIS OF STRENGTH
Related Record Type Details
METABOLITE -> PARENT
ACTIVE IN RATS
METABOLITE -> PARENT
URINE
PARENT -> METABOLITE
METABOLITE -> PARENT
URINE
METABOLITE -> PARENT
METABOLITE -> PARENT
URINE
METABOLITE -> PARENT
Approximately 70 percent of the drug which is absorbed is excreted in the urine as methyldopa and its mono-0-sulfate conjugate
MAJOR
PLASMA; URINE
Related Record Type Details
PARENT -> IMPURITY
CHROMATOGRAPHIC PURITY (HPLC/UV)
EP
Related Record Type Details
ACTIVE MOIETY