Medical uses
editIt 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
edit- 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]
- Labor and delivery: labetalol does not affect labor and delivery when given to pregnant patients with hypertension.
- 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]
- 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.
- 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
edit- ^ Arulkumaran, N; Lightstone, L (December 2013). "Severe pre-eclampsia and hypertensive crises". Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology. 27 (6): 877–84. PMID 23962474.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "Labetalol [package insert]" (PDF). Retrieved 2015-11-02.