The alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blocking potencies of labetalol and its individual stereoisomers in anaesthetized dogs and in isolated tissues.

1 The antagonist potencies of labetalol and each of its four stereoisomers have been compared at alpha 1-, beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors in anaesthetized dogs and in isolated tissues. 2 The RR stereoisomer is a potent, non-selective antagonist at beta-adrenoceptors but has only weak alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking activity. 3 The SR stereoisomer was the most potent antagonist at alpha 1-adrenoceptors, and it also had similar potency as an antagonist at beta-adrenoceptors. 4 The alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blocking profile of the RS stereoisomer is intermediate between that of the RR and SR, but the SS stereoisomer is a relatively weak antagonist at both alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors. 5 It is concluded that, although most of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking activity of labetalol is attributable to the SR stereoisomer and nearly all of its beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity resides in the RR stereoisomer, each of the stereoisomers contributes to the overall pharmacological profile of labetalol.