Methyldopa has an established side effect of depression. What type of ADR is this?

Methyldopa has an established side effect of depression. What type of ADR is this?

• A. Type A
• B. Type C
• C. Type E
• D. Type F

Answer: (A)

Depression from methyldopa is a predictable, pharmacologic effect that increases with the drug’s dose, reflecting an augmentation of its central action. This is a Type A adverse drug reaction: augmented, dose-related, and tied directly to the drug’s known mechanism. Other patterns—unpredictable or idiosyncratic reactions, chronic long-term effects, delayed effects after use, withdrawal effects when stopping, or therapeutic failure—represent the remaining categories, but the mood-related side effect here fits the dose-related, pharmacologic-extension pattern best. Management often involves dose adjustment or switching to another antihypertensive if needed.

Depression from methyldopa is a predictable, pharmacologic effect that increases with the drug’s dose, reflecting an augmentation of its central action. This is a Type A adverse drug reaction: augmented, dose-related, and tied directly to the drug’s known mechanism. Other patterns—unpredictable or idiosyncratic reactions, chronic long-term effects, delayed effects after use, withdrawal effects when stopping, or therapeutic failure—represent the remaining categories, but the mood-related side effect here fits the dose-related, pharmacologic-extension pattern best. Management often involves dose adjustment or switching to another antihypertensive if needed.