methyldopa: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “methyldopa” mean?
An antihypertensive drug used to treat high blood pressure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An antihypertensive drug used to treat high blood pressure.
A medication that works as a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. It is also used in the management of hypertension during pregnancy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The drug is known under the same name.
Connotations
Neutral and clinical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low in both dialects, confined to medical professionals and patients with specific conditions.
Grammar
How to Use “methyldopa” in a Sentence
Patient + be + placed on + methyldopaDoctor + prescribe + methyldopa + for + conditionVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, marketing, and regulatory affairs discussions.
Academic
Common in medical and pharmacological research papers, textbooks, and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation except by patients discussing their medication.
Technical
The primary register; used in clinical notes, drug formularies, treatment guidelines, and between healthcare professionals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “methyldopa”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “methyldopa”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “methyldopa”
- Misspelling as 'methyldopher' or 'metyldopa'. Incorrect stress on the first syllable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, particularly for managing hypertension in pregnancy, though newer drugs are often preferred for general hypertension.
Drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, and headache are relatively common, especially at the start of treatment.
It can interact with other drugs, so a doctor must review all medications a patient is taking before prescribing methyldopa.
It has a long history of use with no evidence of harm to the fetus, making it a well-established choice for obstetricians.
An antihypertensive drug used to treat high blood pressure.
Methyldopa is usually technical/medical in register.
Methyldopa: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛθɪlˈdəʊpə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛθəlˈdoʊpə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: METHYL (a chemical group) + DOPA (related to dopamine). It's a methylated form of L-DOPA, used for pressure (hypertension).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary therapeutic use of methyldopa?