Drug metabolism and liver function after methyldopa withdrawal.

1 The effects of methyldopa withdrawal on liver function and drug metabolism were investigated in ten elderly females suffering from the drug-induced orthostatic reaction and resistant hypertension. 2 There was a significant increase in serum albumin level, antipyrine metabolism and urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid 6 months after the methyldopa withdrawal. 3 The results suggest that patients treated with methyldopa might show a reduced metabolizing ability in spite of normal liver function tests.