title: A case of probable labetalol induced hyperkalaemia in pre-eclampsia.
abstract: METHODS
  Hyperkalemia can cause altered cardiac electrical conduction resulting in death. We describe a case of a 23-year old pregnant patient who presented with severe epigastric pain and vomiting. She was severely pre- eclamptic and received initial treatment with intravenous labetalol and decision was taken to deliver. She quickly became hyperkalaemic (serum potassium level 6.4 mmol/L) and labetalol was discontinued and intravenous hydralazine commenced. Post-surgery, her potassium levels were normal but due to rapidly rising blood pressure labetalol was recommenced, resulting in elevated potassium levels. Labetolol was discontinued, hydralazine prescribed, and potassium levels normalised. The adverse reaction was classified as 'probably' due to labetolol using the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first reported case of labetolol induced hyperkalaemia in pregnancy, with life threatening consequences and hence all health professionals should be alert to this potential effect.
authors.affiliation: Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar, binnyinhmc@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Binny
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Abdul Rouf
authors.forename: Wessam
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: El Kassem
authors.forename: Moza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Hail
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tharannum
authors.forename: Afif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Muna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Saadi
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007741:Labetalol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007741:Labetalol