title: Effect of methyldopa on prolactin serum concentration. Comparison between normal and sustained-release formulations.
abstract: In a group of ten hypertensive patients, the effects of methyldopa administration in two different formulations on serum prolactin (PRL) were studied. A single oral dose of normal release methyldopa significantly increased serum prolactin levels, peak concentrations occurring 3 to 6 h after drug administration. On the contrary, administration of sustained release methyldopa at the same dose was only followed by slight and not significant fluctuations in prolactin plasma levels. Both formulations produced a significant decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressures, without significant differences between sustained and normal release methyldopa effects.
authors.affiliation: Medical Clinic I, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baldini
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cornelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molinari
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cantalamessa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008750:Methyldopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D008750:Methyldopa; D011388:Prolactin