title: Comparison of labetalol with other anti-hypertensive drugs.
abstract: 1 The anti-hypertensive effects of labetalol have been compared and contrasted with other groups of anti-hypertensive drugs in this review of the published literature. 2 The data show that the pharmacological and haemodynamic profile of labetalol in man is distinctly different from that of other specific anti-hypertensive agents; namely the properties of competitive alpha-and beta-adrenoceptor blockade leading to haemodynamic effects of reduced blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance with little accompanying changes in resting heart rate or cardiac output. 3 The anti-hypertensive effects of labetalol are dose related. In fixed dose comparative studies equivalent anti-hypertensive effects to those of labetalol have been shown for individual drugs of the beta-adrenoceptor-blocking and diuretic groups. In dose titration studies, equivalent anti-hypertensive effects at given doses of labetalol have been demonstrated for drugs of the following types: beta-adrenoceptor blockers, beta-blockers plus diuretics, methyldopa, adrenergic neurone blockers and the combination of beta-blockers plus a peripheral vasodilator. 4 Comparing side-effect liabilities, it is clear that quantitatively labetalol produces no greater burden of side-effects than drugs of the beta-adrenoceptor-blocking group. Qualitative differences, however, do exist; in particular, symptomatic postural hypotension is dose related and is more likely to occur when excessive doses (greater than 2 g daily) are used.
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007741:Labetalol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008750:Methyldopa / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D004983:Ethanolamines; D006830:Hydralazine; D008750:Methyldopa; D007741:Labetalol