Long-term experiences with labetalol

Labetalol has been used in 83 patients with severe hypertension resistant to a wide number of drugs. Adequate blood pressure control was achieved in 50 patients. Seven patients with a response in blood pressure had administration of the drug ceased because of side effects. Twenty-two of these resistant patients had little fall in blood pressure. Labetalol can be used safely in severe resistant hypertension and is indicated when a thiazide and beta-blocking drug has failed to reduce blood pressure.