Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...

Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators

Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators

Vasodilators, primarily affecting the smooth muscles within arterial and venous walls, are commonly used for hypertension treatment. Medications such as minoxidil and hydralazine primarily target arteries and arterioles, while sodium nitroprusside acts on arterioles and venules. Minoxidil, functioning as a prodrug, is metabolized by hepatic sulfotransferase into its active form, minoxidil sulfate, after oral administration. This metabolite binds to the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) component of...

Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis

Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis

Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase, which converts...

Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications

Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications

Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications are employed in treating hypertension. The most commonly recommended first-line treatments include:Thiazide Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, increase sodium and water excretion from the body, reducing blood volume and blood pressure.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to II, a potent vasoconstrictor lowering blood pressure.Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II...

Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers

Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers

Third-generation β-blockers, such as labetalol and carvedilol, represent a significant advancement in managing cardiovascular conditions. Unlike conventional β-blockers, which can induce peripheral vasoconstriction, third-generation drugs block α1 adrenoceptors. This promotes vasodilation through several mechanisms, such as increased nitric oxide production, inhibition of calcium ion entry, opening of potassium ion channels, and antioxidant action. Labetalol, for instance, is clinically...

Alterations in Blood Pressure

Alterations in Blood Pressure

Alterations in blood pressure, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypotension (low blood pressure), significantly affect human health. Understanding these conditions' classifications, causes, and symptoms is essential for effective management and treatment.
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart beats)...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Gifts, Blind Spots, and Gray: Canadian Student Pharmacists' Perceptions of Pharmaceutical Industry Interactions.

American journal of pharmaceutical education·2026

Same author

Drug Coverage Policy and Legacy Prescribing: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in British Columbia.

Health science reports·2026

Same author

Sustainability pharmacy assistants in large urban hospital system.

The International journal of pharmacy practice·2026

Same author

Rising Escitalopram Use in British Columbia: Is it Rational and Evidence-Informed?

Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie·2025

Same author

Pharmacotherapy for hypertension in adults 60 years or older.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2025

Same author

Is bigger better? Analysis of efficacy and safety of lemborexant 5 versus 10 mg in insomnia patients.

The International journal of pharmacy practice·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension

Published on: May 17, 2024

Methyldopa for primary hypertension.

Greg T Mah¹, Aaron M Tejani, Vijaya M Musini

¹Burnaby Hospital Pharmacy, Fraser Health Authority, 3935 Kincaid Street, Burnaby, BC, Canada, V5G 2X6.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

|October 13, 2009

Summary

Methyldopa effectively lowers blood pressure in patients with primary hypertension. However, its impact on clinical outcomes like mortality and adverse events requires further investigation.

Area of Science:

Cardiology
Pharmacology
Clinical Trials

Background:

Hypertension poses significant risks for stroke, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.
Methyldopa, a centrally acting antihypertensive, was widely used but largely superseded by newer agents with fewer side effects.
Despite its decline in use, methyldopa remains relevant in developing nations due to its affordability.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the efficacy of methyldopa versus placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
To evaluate effects on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and serious adverse events.
To determine impacts on myocardial infarctions, strokes, and treatment withdrawals due to adverse effects.

Main Methods:

Searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases (up to June 2009).

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension

Published on: May 17, 2024

Included RCTs focusing on primary hypertension, excluding secondary or gestational hypertension.

Employed risk of bias assessment and meta-analysis for blood pressure data using RevMan 5.

Main Results:

Twelve trials (N=595) met inclusion criteria; none assessed methyldopa's effect on mortality or morbidity outcomes.
Withdrawal data due to adverse effects were insufficient for meta-analysis.
Meta-analysis of six trials (N=231) indicated methyldopa (500-2250 mg/day) reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 13/8 mmHg.

Conclusions:

Methyldopa demonstrates a capacity to reduce blood pressure in individuals with primary hypertension.
The drug's influence on critical clinical outcomes such as mortality and morbidity remains undetermined.
Further research is warranted to clarify methyldopa's overall clinical utility and safety profile.