Medical uses

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It has a particular indication in the treatment of pregnancy-induced hypertension which is commonly associated with pre-eclampsia [1]

Labetalol is effective in the management of hypertensive emergencies, postoperative hypertension, pheochromocytoma-associated hypertension, and rebound hypertension from beta blocker withdrawal. It can also be used as an alternative in the treatment of severe hypertension. [2]

Use in specific populations

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  1. Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. Labetalol is an acceptable treatment in pregnant women with hypertension. [3]Because labetalol can cross placenta, it should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the fetus.[4]
  2. Labor and delivery: labetalol does not affect labor and delivery when given to pregnant patients with hypertension.
  3. Lactation: a small amount of labetalol (approximately 0.004% of maternal dose) reaches the fetus via breast milk. Caution is needed when administering labetalol to nursing mothers.[4]
  4. In children: although there’s a lack of established documentation on safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients, it is recommended that labetalol was carefully initiated and properly adjusted with blood pressure monitoring in this patient population.
  5. In the elderly: because elderly patients are more likely to experience orthostatic hypotension, dizziness, and lightheadedness, they should be warned about the possibility of such side effects during treatment with labetalol. [4]


Reference

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  1. ^ Arulkumaran, N; Lightstone, L (December 2013). "Severe pre-eclampsia and hypertensive crises". Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology. 27 (6): 877–84. PMID 23962474.
  2. ^ Koda-Kimble, Mary Ann; Alldredge, Brian K. (2013). "21". Koda-Kimble and Young's Applied Therapeutic: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a Wol. ISBN 978-1-60913-713-7.
  3. ^ Podymow, Tiina; August, Phyllis (2008-04-01). "Update on the Use of Antihypertensive Drugs in Pregnancy". Hypertension. 51 (4): 960–969. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.106.075895. ISSN 0194-911X. PMID 18259046.
  4. ^ a b c "Labetalol [package insert]" (PDF). Retrieved 2015-11-02.