Treatment of severe hypertension with peroral labetalol

22 patients with untreated, essential hypertension (diastolic blood-pressure greater than or equal to 140 mmHg) and in most cases also showing neurological symptoms were given a single oral dose of 400 mg labetalol. All patients displayed a gradual decrease of the blood-pressure down to a diastolic pressure about 110 mmHg with relief of the symptoms. There were no signs of neurological deficit due to the reduction of blood-pressure.