Labetalol

Class

Antihypertensives: β1  and β2 and alpha 1 antagonist

Indications

  1. All grades of HTN, hypertensive emergencies
  2. To produce controlled hypotension during anaesthesia
  3. Control of reflex cardiovascular response to intubation
  4. Mx of acute MI

Pharmaceutics

Synthetic salicyclamide derivative

Presentation

Clear solution for injection 5mg/ml

Tablets 50-400mg

Dose

Hypertensive emergency: IV 20mg then give 40mg after 10-20 minutes if needed

 

Further doses of up to 80mg may be given at 10-20min intervals

 

Max 300mg in 24 hours

 

Consider IV infusion 2mg/min until desired BP (usual dose 50-200mg)

 

PO 100-800mg bd

Route

IV/PO

Onset

IV: 5 – 30mins

DoA

50 mins

MoA

Selective antagonism of alpha 1, beta 1 and 2 adrenoreceptor

 

Ratio of alpha:beta effect is 1:3 ( oral) ; 1:7 (IV)

 

Intrinsic sympathomimetic activity at beta 2 adrenoreceptor and cause vasodilatation directly by stimulation of beta 2 receptor in vascular smooth muscle

PD

CVS

IV cause 20% ¯ in systolic and diastolic BP, HR and CO may ­ by 10%. ¯ SVR by 14%, limb blood flow ­ and coronary vascular resistance may ¯. Inhibit plt aggregation in vitro

Resp

Single dose no effect on lung function test, or affect pt with COPD. Chronic use – no clinical significant effect on resp function

CNS

No effect on cerebral blood flow, autoregulation is well maintained

GU

↓ Renal vascular resistance by 20%, leading to ­↑ blood flow. EGFR unchanged.

Metabolic

Adrenaline, norad, prolactin ↑­ when given IV. ↓ Plasma renin activity and angiotension II. ESR and transaminase may ­↑­

PK

A

PO.  Well absorbed.  Significant 1st pass.  Variable OBA 11-80%

D

50% protein bound.  Vd 2.5 – 15.7 L/kg

M

Extensive liver metabolism to inactive conjugates

E

Renal.  T1/2b – 8hrs

Renal impairment has no effect on kinetics; reduced dose if there is liver impairment

AE

S/E of beta blockade – occur less frequently as compared to

 

S/E of alpha blockade (dizziness, formication [insect crawling], nasal congestion. GI disturbance

Contraindications

Shock

Author: Huiling Tan