Labetalol Hydrochloride

Labetalol Hydrochloride is indicated in the management of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including beta adrenergic blockers.

Control of high blood pressure should be part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management, including, as appropriate, lipid control, diabetes management, antithrombotic therapy, smoking cessation, exercise, and limited sodium intake. Many patients will require more than one drug to achieve blood pressure goals. For specific advice on goals and management, see published guidelines, such as those of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program’s Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC).

Numerous antihypertensive drugs, from a variety of pharmacologic classes and with different mechanisms of action, have been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it can be concluded that it is blood pressure reduction, and not some other pharmacologic property of the drugs, that is largely responsible for those benefits. The largest and most consistent cardiovascular outcome benefit has been a reduction in the risk of stroke, but reductions in myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality also have been seen regularly.

Elevated systolic or diastolic pressure causes increased cardiovascular risk, and the absolute risk increase per mmHg is greater at higher blood pressures, so that even modest reductions of severe hypertension can provide substantial benefit. Relative risk reduction from blood pressure reduction is similar across populations with varying absolute risk, so the absolute benefit is greater in patients who are at higher risk independent of their hypertension (for example, patients with diabetes or hyperlipidemia), and such patients would be expected to benefit from more aggressive treatment to a lower blood pressure goal.

Some antihypertensive drugs have smaller blood pressure effects (as monotherapy) in black patients, and many antihypertensive drugs have additional approved indications and effects (e.g., on angina, heart failure, or diabetic kidney disease). These considerations may guide selection of therapy.

Labetalol Hydrochloride Tablets, USP may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide and loop diuretics.

• The recommended initial dosage is 100 mg twice daily, alone or added to a diuretic regimen. Titrate in increments of 100 mg twice daily every 2 or 3 days. Maintenance dosage is between 200 and 400 mg twice daily. (
  2.1 Recommended Dosage

  Labetalol Hydrochloride dosage must be individualized.

  The recommended initial dosage of labetalol hydrochloride is 100 mg twice daily. Adjust dosage in increments of 100 mg twice daily at 2-to 3-day intervals based on response. The recommended maintenance dosage of labetalol hydrochloride is between 200 and 400 mg twice daily.
  )
• Severe Hypertension: May require from 1,200 to 2,400mg per day, with or without thiazide diuretics. Titrate in increments not to exceed 200 mg twice daily. (2.2)
• Elderly patients: Initiate at 100 mg twice daily. Titrate in increments of 100 mg twice daily as required for blood pressure control. Many elderly patients will require between 100 and 200 mg twice daily. (2.3)

Labetalol Hydrochloride Tablets, USP are available in the following strengths:

• 100 mg - White to off-white, biconvex, film coated tablets with “ET20” debossed on one side and non-functional scoring on the other side

• 200 mg - White to off-white, biconvex, film coated tablets with “ET21” debossed on one side and non-functional scoring on the other side

• 300 mg - White to off-white, biconvex, film coated tablets with “ET22” debossed on one side and non-functional scoring on the other side

The extensive experience with use of labetalol in pregnant women, based on published interventional and observational studies, has not identified a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Data). Untreated hypertension during pregnancy can lead to serious adverse outcomes for the mother and the fetus (see Clinical Considerations). In animal reproductive studies, oral administration of labetalol to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses up to approximately six and four times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD), respectively, resulted in no fetal malformations; however, increased fetal resorptions were seen in both species at doses approximating the MRHD (see Data).

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Hypertension in pregnancy increase the maternal risk for pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature delivery, and delivery complications (e.g., need for cesarean section, and post-partum hemorrhage). Hypertension increases the fetal risk for intrauterine growth restriction and intrauterine death. Pregnant women with hypertension should be carefully monitored and managed accordingly.

Labetalol crosses the placenta. Newonates born to mothers who are receiving labetalol during pregnancy, may be at risk for hypotension, bradycardia, hypoglycemia, and respiratory depression. Neonates should be monitored for symptoms of hypotension, bradycardia, hypoglycemia and respiratly depression and mange accordingly.

Data from published interventional and observational studies did not demonstrate an association between major congenital malformations and the use of labetalol in pregnancy, however, most studies reported the maternal use of intravenous labetalol occurring after 20 weeks gestation. The published literature has reported inconsistent findings of intrauterine growth retardation, preterm birth and perinatal mortality with maternal use of labetalol during pregnancy; however, these studies have methodological limitations hindering interpretation. These studies cannot definitively establish the absence of risk during pregnancy.

Teratogenic studies were performed with labetalol in rats and rabbits at oral doses up to approximately six and four times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD), respectively. No reproducible evidence of fetal malformations was observed. Increased fetal resorptions were seen in both species at doses approximating the MRHD.

A teratology study performed with labetalol in rabbits at intravenous doses up to 1.7 times the MRHD revealed no evidence of drug-related harm to the fetus.

Oral administration of labetalol to rats during late gestation through weaning at doses of two to four times the MRHD caused a decrease in neonatal survival.

• Monitor patients for symptomatic postural hypotension and syncope after initial dosing or dose increments. (
  5.1 Hypotension

  Monitor patients for symptomatic postural hypotension and syncope after initial dosing or dose increments with Labetalol Hydrochloride Tablets. Elderly patients are generally more likely than younger patients to experience orthostatic symptoms

  [see Dosage and Administration , Use in Specific Populations , Clinical Pharmacology ].
  )
• Monitor heart rate and rhythm for bradycardia, including sinus pause, heart block, severe bradycardia, and cardiac arrest in patients receiving Labetalol Hydrochloride Tablets. (
  5.2 Bradycardia

  Bradycardia, including sinus pause, heart block, severe bradycardia, and cardiac arrest have occurred with the use of beta blockers. Monitor heart rate and rhythm in patients receiving Labetalol Hydrochloride Tablets.
  )
• Beta-blockade can depress myocardial contractility and precipitating more severe failure. Avoid use in patients with overt heart failure. (
  5.3 Cardiac Failure

  Sympathetic stimulation is a vital component supporting circulatory function in congestive heart failure. Beta blockade carries a potential hazard of further depressing myocardial contractility and precipitating more severe failure. Avoid Labetalol Hydrochloride Tablets in patients with overt congestive heart failure. If patients develop signs or symptoms of heart failure during administration, discontinue Labetalol Hydrochloride Tablets and treat appropriately.
  )
  
  Acute exacerbation of coronary artery disease upon cessation of therapy. Do not abruptly discontinue. (
  5.4 Ischemic Heart Disease

  Abrupt cessation of therapy with beta blocking agents in patients with coronary artery disease can cause exacerbations of angina pectoris and, in some cases, myocardial infarction has been reported. Therefore, even in the absence of overt angina pectoris, after the discontinuation of Labetalol Hydrochloride Tablets observe patients for development or worsening of angina. If patient experiences angina or angina markedly worsens or if acute coronary insufficiency develops, promptly reinstitute Labetalol Hydrochloride Tablets and manage as unstable angina.
  )
• Avoid use in patients with bronchospastic disease. (
  5.5 Reactive Airway Disease and Nonallergic Bronchospasm

  Avoid use in patients with reactive airways disease. If Labetalol Hydrochloride Tablets are used, use the smallest effective dose, to minimize inhibition of endogenous or exogenous beta agonists.
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• Beta‑adrenergic blockade may prevent the appearance of premonitory signs and symptoms (e.g., tachycardia) of acute hypoglycemia. (
  5.6 Hypoglycemia

  Beta-blockers may prevent early warning signs of hypoglycemia, such as tachycardia, and increase the risk for severe or prolonged hypoglycemia at any time during treatment, especially in patients with diabetes mellitus or children and patients who are fasting (i.e., surgery, not eating regularly, or are vomiting). If severe hypoglycemia occurs, patients should be instructed to seek emergency treatment.
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• Exacerbation of pheochromocytoma: Paradoxical increases in blood pressure may occur. (
  5.7 Use in Patients with Pheochromocytoma

  Labetalol hydrochloride has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure and relieving symptoms in patients with pheochromocytoma; higher than usual doses may be required. However, paradoxical hypertensive responses have been reported in a few patients with this tumor; therefore, blood pressure when administering labetalol hydrochloride to patients with pheochromocytoma.
  )
• Hepatic necrosis and death have been reported. If the patient develops signs or symptoms of liver injury, institute appropriate treatment and investigate the probable cause. (
  5.8 Hepatic Injury

  Severe hepatocellular injury occurs rarely with labetalol therapy. The hepatic injury is usually reversible, but hepatic necrosis and death have been reported. If the patient develops signs or symptoms of liver injury, institute appropriate treatment and investigate the probable cause. Do not restart labetalol in patients without another explanation for the observed liver injury.
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• Do not routinely withdraw chronic beta blocker therapy prior to surgery. (
  5.10 Major Surgery

  Do not routinely withdraw chronic beta blocker therapy prior to surgery. The effect of labetalol’s alpha adrenergic activity has not been evaluated in this setting.
  
  A synergism between labetalol hydrochloride and halothane anesthesia has been shown

  [see Drug Interactions ].
  )