Consumer medicine information

Aldomet

Methyldopa

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Aldomet

Active ingredient

Methyldopa

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Aldomet.

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Aldomet. It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Aldomet against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What it is used for

Aldomet lowers high blood pressure, which doctors call hypertension.

Everyone has blood pressure. This pressure helps get your blood all around your body. Your blood pressure may be different at different times of the day, depending on how busy or worried you are. You have hypertension (high blood pressure) when your blood pressure stays higher than is needed, even when you are calm and relaxed.

There are usually no symptoms of hypertension. The only way of knowing that you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. If high blood pressure is not treated it can lead to serious health problems. You may feel fine and have no symptoms, but eventually hypertension can cause stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. Aldomet helps to lower your blood pressure.

Aldomet works by controlling impulses along certain nerve pathways. As a result, it relaxes and widens blood vessels so that blood passes through them more easily. This helps to lower blood pressure.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Aldomet has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

There is no evidence that it is addictive.

Before you take it

When you must not take it

Do not take Aldomet if:

  • you have an allergy to Aldomet or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
  • you have taken Aldomet in the past and developed liver problems
  • you have certain liver diseases, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis
  • you are being treated for depression with medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
    MAOIs include moclobemide, phenelzine and tranylcypromine.
  • the bottle shows signs of tampering
  • the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
    If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking Aldomet, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed. Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Aldomet during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Aldomet passes into breast milk.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

  • angina
  • liver disease
  • phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma. (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland, which sits near the kidney), or if you are suspected of having this
  • are undergoing dialysis
  • porphyria. (a rare blood pigment disorder)

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, preservatives or dyes.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you take any Aldomet.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines should not be taken with Aldomet. These include:

  • medicines used to treat depression such as moclobemide, phenelzine and tranylcypromine.

Some medicines and Aldomet may interfere with each other. These include:

  • other medicines for high blood pressure
  • lithium, a medicine used to treat mood swings and some types of depressions
  • iron supplements and multivitamins containing iron.

These medicines may be affected by Aldomet or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines.

Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or to avoid while taking Aldomet.

How to take it

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how many tablets you need to take each day.

This depends on your condition and whether you are taking any other medicines.

If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How to take it

Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water or other liquid.

When to take it

Take your medicine at about the same time each day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

If you are taking it twice a day, take the tablets at breakfast time and dinner time - that is, about 12 hours apart.

If you are taking it three times a day, take the tablets about 8 hours apart.

Taking your tablets at the same time each day will have the best effect on your blood pressure. It will also help you remember when to take the tablets.

It does not matter whether you take Aldomet before or after food.

How long to take it

Continue taking Aldomet for as long as your doctor tells you. This medicine helps to control your high blood pressure but does not cure it. Therefore it must be taken every day.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets as you would normally.

If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you have trouble remembering to take your tablets, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Aldomet. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

If you take too many tablets, you will probably feel light-headed and dizzy or you may faint. You may also feel very drowsy, weak, may have a slow heart rate, be constipated, have abdominal bloating, gas in the stomach or bowel, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting.

While you are taking it

Things you must do

Have your blood pressure checked when your doctor says to make sure Aldomet is working.

If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint, get up slowly when getting out of bed or standing up. You may feel light-headed or dizzy when you begin to take Aldomet or if the dose is increased. This is because your blood pressure is falling suddenly. Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. The problem usually goes away after the first few days.

If you are about to be started on any new medicine tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Aldomet.

If you plan to have surgery (even at the dentist) that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Aldomet. Your blood pressure may drop suddenly.

If you are having blood and urine tests, tell your doctor you are taking Aldomet. Aldomet may interfere with some of these tests giving incorrect results.

If you develop fever, tell your doctor. Your doctor may need to do some blood tests to make sure Aldomet is not affecting your liver or blood.

Tell your doctor if you are to have a blood transfusion, that you are taking Aldomet or have taken it in the past few months. Aldomet may interfere with the tests used to decide which blood group you receive.

Make sure you drink enough water during exercise and hot weather when you are taking Aldomet, especially if you sweat a lot. If you do not drink enough water while taking it, you may faint or feel light-headed or sick. This is because your body doesn't have enough fluid and your blood pressure is low. If you continue to feel unwell, tell your doctor.

Things you must not do

Do not give Aldomet to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Aldomet affects you. Aldomet may cause dizziness, light headedness, drowsiness or sleepiness, especially after the first few doses and if the dose is increased. Make sure you know how you react to it before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or drowsy. If you drink alcohol, dizziness or drowsiness may be worse.

Things that would be helpful for your blood pressure

Some self help measures suggested below may help your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these measures and for more information.

Alcohol - your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake.

Diet - eat a healthy diet which includes plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, bread, cereals and fish. Also eat less fat and sugar.

Exercise - regular exercise helps to reduce blood pressure and helps the heart get fitter, but it is important not to overdo it. Walking is good exercise, but try to find a route that is fairly flat.

Before starting any exercise, ask your doctor about the best kind of programme for you.

Salt - your doctor may advise you to watch the amount of salt in your diet. To reduce your salt intake you should avoid using salt in cooking or at the table.

Smoking - your doctor may advise you to stop smoking or at least cut down.

Weight - your doctor may suggest losing some weight to help lower your blood pressure. Some people may need a dietician's help to lose weight.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Aldomet.

Aldomet helps most people with high blood pressure, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • dizziness
  • light-headedness
  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • weakness.

These are all mild side effects of Aldomet and may disappear with continued treatment. They may also occur if the dose is increased.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

  • fever shortly after starting to take Aldomet, for example, within the first 3 months
  • yellowing of the skin and eyes, also called jaundice
  • darker urine than normal due to liver problems
  • pale stools
  • swelling of the feet or lower legs
  • nightmares, feeling strange or depressed
  • signs of frequent or worrying infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
  • bruising more easily than normal
  • signs of anaemia, such as tiredness, being short of breath, and looking pale
  • numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in your hands or feet
  • itchy skin rash or other skin problems
  • a slow heart beat or pulse
  • worsening of angina (chest pain)
  • larger breasts than normal, especially in men.

These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

After taking it

Storage

Keep your tablets in the bottle until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the bottle they may not keep well.

Keep it in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.

Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.

Product description

What it looks like

Aldomet is a yellow, round tablet with '250' marked on one side and 'ALDOMET' on the other side.

A bottle contains 100 tablets.

Ingredients

Active ingredient:

Each tablet contains 250 mg methyldopa.

Inactive ingredients:

  • carnauba wax
  • silica - colloidal anhydrous
  • citric acid - anhydrous
  • magnesium stearate
  • hypromellose
  • sodium calcium edetate
  • propylene glycol
  • ethylcellulose
  • talc - purified
  • guar gum
  • titanium dioxide
  • cellulose - powdered
  • iron oxide red
  • quinoline yellow aluminium lake

Aldomet does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten or tartrazine.

Sponsor

Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos Street
St Leonards NSW 2065

Australian Registration Number:
AUST R 34361

Date of Revision: April 2015

Published by MIMS September 2017

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Aldomet

Active ingredient

Methyldopa

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Methyldopa (as sesquihydrate).

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Aldomet 250 mg, yellow, biconvex, circular shaped tablet, film coated "250" on one side and "ALDOMET" on the other.
Each Aldomet tablet contains 250 mg of the active methyldopa (as sesquihydrate).
For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

See Section 2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Hypertension (mild, moderate to severe).

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

General.

Methyldopa is largely excreted by the kidney and patients with impaired renal function may respond to smaller doses. Syncope in older patients may be related to an increased sensitivity and advanced arteriosclerotic vascular disease. This may be avoided by lower doses.
Withdrawal of Aldomet is followed by return of hypertension, usually within 48 hours. This is not complicated by an overshoot of blood pressure.
Therapy with Aldomet may be initiated in most patients already on treatment with other antihypertensive agents.
Aldomet may also be used concomitantly with hydrochlorothiazide or beta-blocking agents.
When methyldopa is given to patients on other antihypertensives, the dose of these agents may need to be adjusted to effect a smooth transition. Terminate these antihypertensive medications gradually if required (see manufacturers' recommendations on stopping these drugs).
Following such previous antihypertensive therapy, the initial dose of Aldomet should be limited to not more than 500 mg daily and increased as required at intervals of not less than 2 days.

Adults.

The usual starting dose of Aldomet is 250 mg two or three times a day in the first 48 hours. The daily dosage may then be increased or decreased, preferably at intervals of not less than two days, until an adequate response is achieved. The maximum recommended daily dosage is 3 g.
When Aldomet 500 mg is added to 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide, the two agents may be given together once daily.
Many patients experience sedation for two or three days when therapy with Aldomet is started or when the dose is increased. When increasing the dosage, therefore, it may be desirable to increase the evening dose first.

Children.

Initial dosage is based on 10 mg/kg of bodyweight daily in two to four doses. The daily dosage is then increased, or decreased, until an adequate response is achieved. The maximum dosage is 65 mg/kg or 3.0 g daily, whichever is less.

4.3 Contraindications

Aldomet is contraindicated in patients:
with active hepatic disease, such as acute hepatitis and active cirrhosis;
with hypersensitivity (including hepatic disorders associated with previous methyldopa therapy) to any component of these products (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use);
on therapy with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors;
with a catecholamine-secreting tumour such as phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma;
with porphyria.

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Anaemia.

Acquired haemolytic anaemia has occurred rarely in association with methyldopa therapy. Should clinical symptoms indicate the possibility of anaemia, haemoglobin and/or haematocrit determinations should be performed. If anaemia is present, appropriate laboratory studies should be done to determine if haemolysis is present. Evidence of haemolytic anaemia is an indication for discontinuation of the drug. Discontinuation of methyldopa alone or the initiation of adrenocortical steroids usually results in a prompt remission of anaemia. Rarely, however, fatalities have occurred.

Coombs test.

Some patients on continued therapy with methyldopa develop a positive direct Coombs test. The incidence of positive Coombs test as reported by different investigators has averaged between 10 and 20 percent. A positive Coombs test rarely occurs in the first six months of therapy with methyldopa and if not encountered within 12 months, is unlikely to develop with continued administration. This phenomenon is also dose-related with the lowest incidence occurring in patients receiving 1 g of methyldopa or less per day. Reversal of the positive Coombs test occurs within weeks to months after discontinuation of the drug.
Should the need for transfusion arise, prior knowledge of a positive Coombs reaction will aid in evaluation of the cross match. Patients with a positive Coombs test at the time of cross match may exhibit an incompatible minor cross match. When this occurs, an indirect Coombs test should be performed. If negative, transfusion with such blood which is otherwise compatible in the major cross match may be carried out. However, if positive, the advisability of transfusion with blood compatible in the major cross match should be determined by a haematologist or expert in transfusion problems.
Rarely, a reversible reduction of the white blood cell count with a primary effect on the granulocytes has been seen. The granulocyte count returned promptly to normal on discontinuance of the drug. Reversible thrombocytopenia has occurred rarely.

Fever and hepatic function.

Occasionally, fever has occurred within the first three weeks of administration of methyldopa. In some cases this fever has been associated with eosinophilia or abnormalities in one of more liver function tests. Jaundice, with or without fever, may occur also, with onset usually within the first two or three months of therapy. In some patients the findings are consistent with those of cholestasis. Rare cases of fatal hepatic necrosis have been reported.
Liver biopsy, performed in several patients with liver dysfunction, showed a microscopic focal necrosis compatible with drug hypersensitivity. A determination of hepatic function and a white cell and differential blood count should be done at intervals during the first 6-12 weeks of therapy, or whenever an unexplained fever may occur. If fever, abnormalities in liver function tests or jaundice appear, therapy with methyldopa should be stopped. If related to methyldopa, the temperature and abnormalities in liver function characteristically have reverted to normal when the drug was discontinued. Methyldopa should not be reinstituted in such patients. Methyldopa should be used with caution in patients with a history of previous liver disease or dysfunction.
Patients may require reduced doses of anaesthetics when on Aldomet. If hypotension does occur during anaesthesia, it can usually be controlled by vasopressors. The adrenergic receptors remain sensitive during treatment with methyldopa.
Dialysis removes methyldopa; therefore, hypertension may recur after this procedure.
Depression following methyldopa administration has been reported. Care should be taken to monitor for depression, especially in patients with a history of depression.

Use in the elderly.

No data available.

Paediatric use.

No data available.

Effects on laboratory tests.

Methyldopa may interfere with the measurement of urinary uric acid by the phosphotungstate method, serum creatinine by the alkaline picrate method and SGOT by colorimetric method. Interference with spectrophotometric methods for SGOT analysis has not been reported.
Since methyldopa will cause fluorescence in urine samples at the same wave lengths as catecholamines, spuriously high concentrations of urinary catecholamines may be reported. This will interfere with the diagnosis of catecholamine-secreting tumour such as phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma.
It is important to recognise this phenomenon before a patient with a possible catecholamine-secreting tumour is subjected to surgery. Methyldopa does not interfere with measurement of VMA (vanillylmandelic acid) by those methods which convert VMA to vanillin. Methyldopa is contraindicated for the treatment of patients with catecholamine-secreting tumour such as phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma.
Rarely, when urine is exposed to air after voiding, it may darken because of breakdown of methyldopa or its metabolites.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

Lithium.

When methyldopa and lithium are given concomitantly, the patient should be monitored carefully for symptoms of lithium toxicity.

Other antihypertensive drugs.

When methyldopa is used in combination with other antihypertensive drugs, potentiation of antihypertensive action may occur. Patients should be followed carefully to detect adverse reactions or unusual manifestations of drug idiosyncrasy.

Iron.

Several studies demonstrate a decrease in the bioavailability of methyldopa when it is ingested with ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate. This may adversely affect blood pressure control in patients treated with methyldopa.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.

See Section 4.3 Contraindications.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

(Category A)
Category A of Australian Categorisation Risk of Drug Use in Pregnancy: Drugs which have been taken by a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age without any proven increase in the frequency of malformations or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the foetus having been observed.
Aldomet has been used under close medical and obstetric supervision for the treatment of hypertension during pregnancy. There was no clinical evidence that Aldomet caused foetal abnormalities or affected the neonate.
Methyldopa does cross the placental barrier and appears in cord blood.
Although no obvious teratogenic effects have been reported, the possibility of foetal injury cannot be excluded and the use of the drug in women who are or may become pregnant requires that anticipated benefits be weighed against possible risks.
Methyldopa appears in breast milk. Therefore, caution should be exercised if Aldomet is given to a breastfeeding mother.

Effects on fertility.

No data available.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

The effects of this medication on a person's ability to drive and use machines were not assessed as part of its registration.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Sedation, usually transient, may occur during the initial period of therapy or whenever the dose is increased. Headache, asthenia, or weakness may be noted as early and transient symptoms.
Significant adverse effects due to Aldomet have been infrequent and this agent is usually well tolerated.
The following reactions have been reported:

Central nervous system.

Sedation (usually transient), headache, asthenia or weakness, paraesthesias, parkinsonism, Bell's palsy, involuntary choreoathetotic movements. Psychic disturbances including nightmares, impaired mental acuity and reversible mild psychoses or depression. Dizziness, light-headedness and symptoms of cerebrovascular insufficiency (may be due to lowering of blood pressure).

Cardiovascular.

Bradycardia, prolonged carotid sinus hypersensitivity, aggravation of angina pectoris, atrioventricular block. Orthostatic hypotension (decrease daily dosage). Oedema (and weight gain) usually relieved by use of a diuretic (discontinue methyldopa if oedema progresses or signs of heart failure appear).

Gastrointestinal.

Nausea, vomiting, distension, constipation, flatus, diarrhoea, colitis, mild dryness of mouth, sore or 'black' tongue, pancreatitis, sialadenitis.

Hepatic.

Liver disorders including hepatitis, jaundice, abnormal liver function tests.

Haematological.

Positive Coombs test, haemolytic anaemia, bone marrow depression, leucopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia. Positive tests for antinuclear antibody, LE cells and rheumatoid factor.

Allergic.

Drug-related fever and abnormal liver function tests with jaundice and hepatocellular damage (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use), lupus-like syndrome, myocarditis, pericarditis, angioedema, urticarial.

Dermatological.

Rash as in eczema or lichenoid eruption; toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Other.

Nasal stuffiness, rise in BUN, breast enlargement, gynaecomastia, lactation, hyperprolactinaemia, amenorrhoea, impotence, decreased libido, mild arthralgia with or without joint swellings, myalgia.

Reporting suspected adverse events.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at http://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

Acute overdosage may produce acute hypotension with other responses attributable to brain and gastrointestinal malfunction (excessive sedation, weakness, bradycardia, dizziness, light-headedness, constipation, distention, flatus, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting).
In the event of overdosage, symptomatic and supportive measures should be employed. When ingestion is recent, gastric lavage or emesis may reduce absorption. When ingestion has been earlier, infusions may be helpful to promote urinary excretion. Otherwise, management includes special attention to cardiac rate and output, blood volume, electrolyte balance, paralytic ileus, urinary function, and cerebral activity.
Sympathomimetic drugs (e.g. levarterenol, noradrenaline, metaraminol bitartrate) may be indicated. Methyldopa is dialyzable.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poison Information Centre on 131126 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Aldomet (methyldopa) is an effective anti-hypertensive agent that reduces both supine and standing blood pressure. Symptomatic postural hypotension, exercise hypotension and diurnal blood pressure variations rarely occur. By adjustment of dosage, morning hypotension can be prevented without sacrificing control of afternoon blood pressure.
Methyldopa has no direct effect on cardiac function and usually does not reduce glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow or filtration fraction. Cardiac output usually is maintained without cardiac acceleration. In some patients the heart rate is slowed.
Because of relative freedom from adverse effects on kidney function, methyldopa can be of benefit in the control of high blood pressure even in the presence of renal impairment. It may help arrest or retard the progression of renal function impairment and damage due to sustained elevation of blood pressure.
Normal or elevated plasma renin activity may decrease in the course of methyldopa therapy.
The ability to inhibit dopa decarboxylase and to deplete animal tissue of noradrenaline resides solely in the l-isomer (methyldopa). In man, the antihypertensive activity appears to be due solely to the l-isomer.

Clinical trials.

No data available.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

No data available.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

No data available.

Carcinogenicity.

No data available.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Carnauba wax, citric acid, citric acid monohydrate, colloidal anhydrous silica, ethylcellulose, guar gum, hypromellose, iron oxide red, magnesium stearate, powdered cellulose, propylene glycol, purified talc, quinoline, yellow aluminium lake, sodium calcium edetate, titanium dioxide.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

3 years.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 30 degrees Celsius.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

White HDPE bottles containing 100 tablets.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Methyldopa is a white to yellowish white crystalline powder or almost colourless crystals. It is odourless and almost tasteless. It is slightly soluble in water and in ethanol (96%), and is practically insoluble in ether and in chloroform. It dissolves in dilute mineral acids.
Methyldopa is the l-isomer of alpha-methyldopa. Chemical name: (-)-3-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)- 2-methyl-l- alanine sesquihydrate. Molecular formula: C10H13NO4.1½ H2O. MW: 238.2.

Chemical structure.


CAS number.

The CAS number is 41372-08-1.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

S4.

Summary Table of Changes