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Labetalol in essential hypertension.
Author(s) -
Breckenridge A,
Orme M,
Serlin MJ,
Maciver M
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1982.tb01887.x
Subject(s) - labetalol , medicine , pharmacodynamics , anesthesia , pharmacokinetics , blood pressure , placebo , essential hypertension , alfentanil , adverse effect , scalp , pharmacology , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology , propofol
1 Labetalol is an effective agent in essential hypertension as documented in open studies and controlled studies in which its efficacy has been compared with both placebo and a variety of other anti‐ hypertensive drugs. 2 Labetalol given by mouth lowers blood pressure rapidly. There is no evidence of tolerance to its anti‐hypertensive action. 3 Adverse effects include excessive hypotension, but only when the drug is given in large doses. Epigastric discomfort and scalp tingling have been documented especially after intravenous administration. 4 From a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic point of view, labetalol can be given once daily, but postural hypotension after large (greater than 1 g) single doses may limit the usefulness of once daily regimes. Twice daily administration appears an acceptable compromise.