An open comparison of labetalol with previous antihypertensive therapy

A study was carried out in 26 hypertensive patients stabilized on a beta-blocker, vasodilator and diuretic regimen to investigate whether substitution of labetalol for the first two drugs was as effective and a well tolerated form of therapy. Patients were studied over a 16-week period and received labetalol in doses ranging from 50 to 400 mg twice daily in addition to the diuretic. The results showed that the simple labetalol regimen was equally as effective in maintaining blood pressure control and there was a statistically significant increase in pulse rate, as expected on withdrawal of a beta-blocker. The incidence of tolerable side-effects was similar with both regimens. Five patients, however, had to revert to their previous therapy because they could not tolerate labetalol.