Response & Side Effects of Injectable Labetalol in Pregnancy Induced Severe Hypertension

The study was performed to assess the response & side effects of injectable Labetalol in the treatment of pregnancy induced severe hypertension. This interventional study was carried out on 72 patients having pregnancy induced severe hypertension attended in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Mymensingh Medical College & Hospital (MMCH), Mymensingh, Bangladesh from November 2009 to October 2010. All patients were treated with intravenous Labetalol 20mg & the dose was repeated at sequential escalating dosages every 15 minutes until a therapeutic goal of systolic blood pressure <160mm of Hg & diastolic blood pressure <105mm of Hg were achieved. Among 72 respondents highest number were observed having systolic blood pressure 160-169 and 180 & above mm of Hg. The mean systolic & the diastolic blood pressure at the initiation of the study were observed 198±13.17mm of Hg & 119±8.6mm of Hg respectively. After use of injection Labetalol mean systolic blood pressure were 138.61±15.43mm of Hg, which is statistically significant (p value <0.001) & mean diastolic blood pressure were 96.18±9.7mm of Hg, which is also statistically significant (p value <0.001). It was observed that majority patients' blood pressure was controlled by 1-2 doses. It was noticed that injection Labetalol controls blood pressure in 80% antenatal cases & 86% postnatal cases. Out of 72 patients 4 cases (5.5%) experienced nausea & vomiting and only 1 case (1.1%) experienced headache. Regarding fetal outcome 48% patients delivered healthy baby, about 31% patients delivered asphyxiated baby & neonatal death were noticed in 4% cases. This study assessing the response & side effects of intravenous antihypertensive drug in the treatment of pregnancy induced severe hypertension shows that Labetalol fulfils the criteria of an antihypertensive drug for this purpose.