Question

Methyldopa is primarily used in:

• A. Parkinsonism
• B. Pregnancy induced hypertension
• C. Hirsutism
• D. Refractory hypertension

Hint:

This central antihypertensive is chosen for its safety in a specific patient group, not for its strength.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Methyldopa lowers blood pressure by acting in the brain. After conversion to alpha-methylnoradrenaline it activates central $\alpha_2$ receptors, which dampens the sympathetic drive to the heart and vessels. What makes it special is not its potency but its safety record, especially during pregnancy.

Decades of use have shown that methyldopa does not harm fetal development, so obstetricians rely on it as a preferred agent for raised blood pressure in pregnancy, including pregnancy induced hypertension. That is its primary clinical niche today.

The distractors fail because each belongs to a different drug class: Parkinsonism is managed with levodopa, hirsutism with antiandrogens like spironolactone, and resistant hypertension with strong multi-drug regimens rather than a modest central agent. The correct use is hypertension in pregnancy.
\[\boxed{\text{Pregnancy induced hypertension}}\]