Anthropometric Measurements as Predictors of Low Birth Weight Among Tanzanian Neonates: A Hospital-Based Study
November 7, 2025
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Brand Name :
Aldomet
Synonyms :
alpha medopa, alpha-methyl dopa
Class :
Antihypertensive/ Centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist
Brand Name :
Aldomet
Synonyms :
alpha medopa, alpha-methyl dopa
Class :
Antihypertensive/ Centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist
Dosage forms& StrengthsÂ
TabletÂ
250mgÂ
500mgÂ
Injectable solutionsÂ
50mg/mLÂ
Dosage forms& StrengthsÂ
TabletÂ
250mgÂ
500mgÂ
Injectable Â
50mg/mLÂ
It is advisable to commence with smaller initial doses and adjust more gradually.Â
125 mg once daily or every 12 hours, with the option to increment the dose by 125 mg every 2 to 3 days as needed.Â
may have an increased AV-blocking effect when combined with beta-blockers
may diminish concentration of serum when combined with methyldopa
may diminish concentration of serum when combined with methyldopa
may diminish concentration of serum when combined with methyldopa
may diminish concentration of serum when combined with methyldopa
beta
beta
may increase the AV-blocking effect of beta blockers
may increase the AV-blocking effect of beta blockers
They may increase the vasopressor effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
They may increase the vasopressor effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
They may increase the vasopressor effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
They may increase the vasopressor effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
It may increase the vasoconstricting effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
It may increase the hypertensive effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
It may decrease the diagnostic effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
may decrease the antihypertensive effect when combined with alpha2-agonists
may increase the vasoconstricting effect of Ergot Derivatives
esketamine: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
linezolid: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
it may enhance the effects when combined with lofexidine by pharmacodynamic synergism
may increase the hypertensive effect
It may increase the hypertensive effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
may have an increased vasoconstricting effect when combined with alpha1-agonists
may have an increased vasoconstricting effect when combined with alpha1-agonists
may have an increased vasoconstricting effect when combined with alpha1-agonists
may have an increased vasoconstricting effect when combined with alpha1-agonists
may have an increased vasoconstricting effect when combined with alpha1-agonists
mianserin: it may decrease the therapeutic effect of Alpha2-Agonists
may increase the av-blocking effect of beta-blockers
may increase the av-blocking effect of beta-blockers
may increase the av-blocking effect of beta-blockers
may increase the av-blocking effect of beta-blockers
may increase the av-blocking effect of beta-blockers
may enhance the AV-blocking effect of beta-blockers
may enhance the AV-blocking effect of beta-blockers
may enhance the AV-blocking effect of beta-blockers
may enhance the AV-blocking effect of beta-blockers
may enhance the AV-blocking effect of beta-blockers
may increase the effect of beta-blockers
may increase the effect of beta-blockers
may increase the effect of beta-blockers
may increase the effect of beta-blockers
may increase the effect of beta-blockers
may increase the effect of beta-blockers
may increase the AV-blocking effect
may increase the AV-blocking effect
may increase the AV-blocking effect
may increase the AV-blocking effect
may increase the AV-blocking effect
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may increase the serum concentration
may increase the serum concentration
may increase the serum concentration
may increase the serum concentration
may increase the serum concentration
It may increase the hypertensive effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
It may decrease the vasoconstricting effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
It may increase the hypertensive effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
It may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
dried ferrous sulfate/folic acidÂ
this may reduce the efficacy of methyldopa
dried ferrous sulfate / sodium ascorbateÂ
this may reduce the efficacy of methyldopa
zavegepant: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
monoamine oxidase inhibitor: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
monoamine oxidase inhibitor: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
monoamine oxidase inhibitor: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
monoamine oxidase inhibitor: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
monoamine oxidase inhibitor: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
doxofylline: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
fentanyl: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
tedizolid: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha2-Agonists
decongestant: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha 2-Agonists
acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine/guaifenesin
decongestant: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha 2-Agonists
brompheniramine, dextromethorphan and phenylephrine
decongestant: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha 2-Agonists
decongestant: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha 2-Agonists
sympathomimetics: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha 2-Agonists
sympathomimetics: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha 2-Agonists
sympathomimetics: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha 2-Agonists
sympathomimetics: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha 2-Agonists
sympathomimetics: they may increase the hypertensive effect of Alpha 2-Agonists
ferrous bisglycinate may cause a decrease in the absorption of methyldopa, leading to reduced serum concentration and potentially compromising efficacy
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
Actions and spectrum:Â
Methyldopa is a drug whose exact metabolic pathway has not been fully articulated so far, but it seems to be/mostly the effect of alpha-adrenergic receptors, and to a small extent of the aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase enzyme. At the same time, Methyldopa is metabolized to biological active derivatives α-methylnorepinephrine and alpha-methylepinephrine, which are agonists at presynaptic alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the brain stem. Through this stimulation, adrenergic neurons are prevented from releasing norepinephrine. As a result, the decline in the levels of norepinephrine in the brainstem leads to decreased blood pressure by decreasing the signals from sympathetic fibers to blood vessel wall smooth muscles. Moreover, the L-isomer of alpha-methyldopa inhibits aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, which in turn causes the depletion of biogenic amines, such as norepinephrine, though this fact minimally affects its blood pressure-lowering effect.Â
Adverse reactionsÂ
Orthostatic hypotensionÂ
AnginaÂ
BradycardiaÂ
SedationÂ
LethargyÂ
DizzinessÂ
GynecomastiaÂ
Dry mouthÂ
RashÂ
ImpotenceÂ
NauseaÂ
VomitingÂ
Liver toxicityÂ
ThrombocytopeniaÂ
Autoimmune diseaseÂ
Lupus-like syndromeÂ
Hemolytic anemiaÂ
ArthralgiaÂ
Black box warningÂ
No specific black box warning is availableÂ
Contraindications/CautionÂ
ContraindicationsÂ
Liver disordersÂ
Active liver diseaseÂ
PheochromocytomaÂ
HypersensitivityÂ
CautionsÂ
EdemaÂ
Hemolytic anemiaÂ
Congestive heart failureÂ
History of liver diseaseÂ
HypotensionÂ
Pregnancy & breastfeeding:Â
Pregnancy consideration:Â
US FDA pregnancy category: BÂ
Breastfeeding warnings:Â
It should be used with caution as the drug is known to be excreted into human milk.Â
Pregnancy category:Â
Pharmacology:Â
Alpha-methyldopa or methyldopa is an antihypertensive and centrally acting sympatholytic agent. It is a prodrug and an analog of 3,4-hydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA).Â
Pharmacodynamics:Â
The main reason behind the antihypertensive effects of methyldopa is its active metabolite, alpha-methylnorepinephrine, which stimulates the finding and blocking of central inhibitory receptors, hence sympathetic (chariot major) the peripheral tone and arterial pressure. Methyldopa downregulates serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine levels, blood pressure by enhancing both the sitting and reclining positions with less of positional drop in blood pressure. Methyldopa also lowers the activity of the renin-plasma enzyme, which in exchange, may lead to slower heart rates, although kidney and heart function are not affected. A period of 12 to 24 hours is enough for effects to emerge after oral administration, followed by the peak effect in 4 to 6 hours, and then in 24 to 48 hours, the situation is turned back to the pre-treatment level. Intravenous injection gives the effects that last approximately from 10 to 16 hours.Â
Pharmacokinetics:Â
Absorption:Â
Following oral administration, it is poorly absorbed from the GI tract. The D-isomer of the compound which is inactive is less absorbed than its active L-isomer.Â
Distribution:Â
Apparent volume of distribution lies between 0.19 to 0.32L/kg. As it is lipid-soluble, it can cross the BBB and it also appears in breast milk and cord blood.Â
Metabolism:Â
D and L isomers of methyldopa undergo different pathways of metabolism. Alpha-methyl norepinephrine is the active metabolite of L-α-methyldopa. Alpha-methyldopa mono-O-sulfate is the primary circulating metabolite of liver. Other metabolites include 3-O-methyl-α-methyldopa, α-methyldopamine, 3-O-methyl-α-methyldopamine. Â
D-α-methyldopa is an inactive isomer which is metaboliozed to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetone and 3-O-methyl-α-methyldopa.Â
Excretion:Â
70% of the drug is excreted through urine as unchanged form of which 24% is the parent drug and 64% is α-methyldopa mono-O-sulfate. Â
Unabsorbed drug is eliminated as unchanged drug through feces.Â
Half-life: 90 to 127 minutesÂ
Administration:Â
Intravenous administration of the drug should be given as a slow infusion, over the rate of 30 to 60 minutes.Â
Oral administration of the drug should be carried with or without food with plenty of water.Â
Patient information leafletÂ
Generic Name: methyldopaÂ
Why do we use methyldopa?Â
It is effective in treating hypertension in various patient groups, including pregnant women, the elderly and those with specific medical conditions. It reduces high blood pressure and lowers the risk of cardiac problems. It is preferred drug in pregnancy particularly to treat gestational hypertension and preeclampsia due to its safety features for both mother and fetus. By lowering the activity of sympathetic nervous system, the risk of stroke, kidney issues and heart attack in patients suffering with chronic hypertension may be decreased.Â
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