Hypertensive episodes following acute myocardial infarction

Active Ingredient: Labetalol

Indication for Labetalol

Population group: only adults (18 years old or older)
Therapeutic intent: Curative procedure

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments:

50 mg/5 min given by bolus injection up to a total dose of 200 mg or 15mg/h given by intravenous infusion gradually increased to a maxium of 120 mg/h depending on the control of blood pressure

For:

Dosage regimens

Regimen A :

Intravenous bolus, 50 milligrams labetalol, once every 5 minutes, 1 to 4 doses in total.

Regimen B :

Intravenous, 15 milligrams labetalol, once hourly. Afterwards, intravenous, between 15 milligrams labetalol and 120 milligrams labetalol, once hourly.

Detailed description

Labetalol injection is intended for intravenous use in hospitalised patients. The plasma concentrations achieved after intravenous dose of labetalol in severe hypertension are substantially greater than those following oral administration of the drug and provide a greater degree of blockade of alpha-adrenoceptors necessary to control the more severe disease. Patients should, therefore, always receive the drug whilst in the supine or left lateral position. Raising the patient into the upright position, within three hours of intravenous labetalol administration, should be avoided since excessive postural hypotension may occur.

IndicationDosage
Severe hypertensionBolus injection:

If it is essential to reduce blood pressure quickly, as for example in hypertensive
encephalopathy, a dose of 50 mg of labetalol hydrochloride should be given by intravenous
injection (over a period of at least one minute). If necessary, doses of 50 mg may be repeated
at five minute intervals until a satisfactory response occurs. The total dosage should not
exceed 200 mg.

After bolus injection, the maximum effect usually occurs within five minutes and the effective
duration of action is usually about 6 hours but may be as long as 18 hours.
Intravenous infusion

In hypertensive episodes following acute myocardial infarction: The infusion should be
commenced at 15 mg per hour and gradually increased to a maximum of 120 mg per hour
depending on the control of blood pressure.

Active ingredient

Labetalol

Labetalol lowers the blood pressure by blocking peripheral arteriolar alphaadrenoceptors thus reducing peripheral resistance, and by concurrent betablockade, protects the heart from reflex sympathetic drive that would otherwise occur.

Read more about Labetalol

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