Extemporaneous preparation of methyldopa in two syrup vehicles

The stability of methyldopa in two extemporaneous syrup preparations was studied. Film-coated methyldopa tablets were triturated and incorporated into (1) unpreserved Syrup USP and (2) an equal mixture of simple syrup containing 0.5% citric acid and 0.2 N hydrochloric acid, in concentrations of 50 mg/ml. The preparations were stored in the dark, for 14 days at 5 C and 25 C. Samples were analyzed spectrophotometrically for methyldopa content at various intervals. Both preparations were stable under the conditions studied.