Methyldopa

Methyldopa

Methyl analogue of dopa. It is used as a centrally acting adrenergic antihypertensive. Methyldopa is converted to methyl noradrenaline, which is a central alpha 2 agonist. This decreases central sympathetic outlfow.

It has more action on decreasing total peripheral resistance (TPR) than on cardiac output or heart rate. Levels of circulating NA decreases due to decrease in central sympathetic outflow.

Presently it is used to treat hypertension in pregnancy.