Evolution of renal function under chronic oral administration of labetalol

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR, inulin clearance) and renal plasma flow (RPF, PAH clearance) were measured in 35 hypertensive patients during chronic administration of an alpha-beta-blocker, labetalol. No significant changes in GFR occurred but RPF increased significantly. The increase in RPF was positively correlated with the decrease in mean arterial blood pressure. Patients with renal failure showed changes similar to patients with normal renal function. Thus chronic treatment with labetalol, unlike most beta-blockers, can increase RPF, an effect which could be related to the alpha-blocking activity of the drug.