Key result
Labetalol matches methyldopa for BP control in severe pregnancy hypertension without altering pre-eclampsia progression.
Why the study?
The rationale for drug treatment of severe maternal hypertension occurring concurrently with or induced by pregnancy requires evaluation of antihypertensive agents.
Does labetalol improve antihypertensive effect compared to methyldopa in pregnant patients with severe hypertension?
RCT (n=74)
randomized
Does labetalol improve antihypertensive effect compared to methyldopa in pregnant patients with severe hypertension?
Labetalol and methyldopa provide equivalent blood pressure control in severe maternal hypertension without altering the progression of pre-eclampsia.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Labetalol offers a viable alternative to methyldopa; extends randomized evidence for its use in severe maternal hypertension.
SummaryThe rationale for the drug treatment of severe maternal hypertension occurring concurrently with or induced by pregnancy is discussed. Methyldopa is the antihypertensive agent most commonly used at present in pregnancy but recently the use of beta-blocking drugs and the combined alpha-blocker and beta-blocker labetalol has been advocated. Interim results from 74 patients in an ongoing randomized trial comparing methyldopa (1. 0 to 4.0 g/day) with labetalol (0.3 to 1.2 g/day) indicate that the two drugs have an equivalent antihypertensive effect and both cause side-effects. There is no evidence that either drug significantly altered the progression of established pre-eclampsia.
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Moore et al. (1982) conducted an RCT in severe maternal hypertension (n=74). Labetalol vs. Methyldopa (1.0 to 4.0 g/day) was evaluated on antihypertensive effect and progression of established pre-eclampsia. Labetalol and methyldopa demonstrated an equivalent antihypertensive effect in pregnant patients with severe hypertension, with no evidence that either altered the progression of pre-eclampsia.
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