Methyldopa

Methyldopa, or α-methyldopa, is a centrally acting sympatholytic agent and an antihypertensive agent. It is an analog of DOPA (3,4‐hydroxyphenylanine), and it is a prodrug, meaning that the drug requires biotransformation to an active metabolite for therapeutic effects. Methyldopa works by binding to alpha(α)-2 adrenergic receptors as an agonist, leading to the inhibition of adrenergic neuronal outflow and reduction of vasoconstrictor adrenergic signals. Methyldopa exists in two isomers D-α-methyldopa and L-α-methyldopa, that is the active form. First introduced in 1960 as an antihypertensive agent, methyldopa was considered to be useful in certain patient populations, including pregnant women and patients with renal insufficiency. Since then, methyldopa was largely replaced by newer, better-tolerated antihypertensive agents; however, it is still used as monotherapy or in combination with [hydrochlorothiazide]. Methyldopa is also available as intravenous injection, that is used to manage hypertension when oral therapy is unfeasible and to treat hypertensive crisis. It is grouped under the following drug class(es): Alpha-2 agonists. Its therapeutic use is listed as antihypertensives and cardiovascular. The directory classifies it as a commercial API with a synthetic source/manufacturing origin. Other names for this substance include Dopamet, Presolisin, Sedometil, Dopatec and Hypolag. Its PubChem CID is 38853.