Labetalol in general practice: a review.

1 The results of the treatment of 8573 hypertensive patients with labetalol in general practice, for periods between 1 month and 5 yr, are reviewed. 2 The data reviewed were obtained from the published literature together with our own published (Kane et al., 1976; Kane et al., 1979) and more recent (unpublished) work. 3 Between 60% and 80% of severe (diastolic blood pressure greater than 120 mmHg) and previously uncontrolled hypertensives responded satisfactorily to the drug, as did up to 88% of mild to moderate hypertensives. 4 The anti-hypertensive effect of labetalol was not dependent on the frequency of administration, twice and three times daily treatment regimes being equally effective. 5 The withdrawal rate attributable to side-effects was between 6% and 13%. Tiredness, dizziness, headache and upper gastro-intestinal symptoms were the four principal side-effects, but they were usually transient when labetalol treatment was continued. 6 No drug interactions or adverse haematological or biochemical changes were seen.