Treatment of hypertension in the elderly with labetalol.

Elderly and young hypertensive patients differ with regard to clinical and pathophysiologic profiles. In the elderly, hypertension is generally characterized by elevated peripheral vascular resistance and decreased cardiac output. To establish an individualized or patient-specific approach to their treatment, antihypertensive agents must be evaluated specifically in this subpopulation. Labetalol, an alpha- and beta-blocking agent, has been shown to lower blood pressure in young and elderly hypertensive patients primarily by reducing peripheral vascular resistance without compromising cardiac output. Examination of recent reports on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects, and on the efficacy and safety of labetalol in elderly persons with hypertension, leads us to conclude that the drug appears to be well suited for use in these patients.