Oral: 50–800 mg twice daily (in 3–4 divided doses in high doses); maximum 2.4 g daily
IV infusion
: 2 mg/minute until satisfactory response; usual total dose 50–200 mgIV bolus: 50 mg over 1 minute, repeated at 5 minute intervals to a total dose of 200 mgPregnancy: 20–160 mg/hour Hypertension after an MI: 15–120 mg/ hour
20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function
10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function
<10           : Dose as in normal renal function
DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES
CAPD                :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
HD                     :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
HDF/high flux   :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in normal renal function
CAV/VVHD      :Probably not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Anaesthetics: enhanced hypotensive effect
Analgesics: NSAIDs antagonise hypotensive effect
Anti-arrhythmics: increased risk of myocardial depression and bradycardia; increased risk of bradycardia, myocardial depression and AV block with amiodarone
Antidepressants: enhanced hypotensive effect with MAOIs; concentration of imipramine increasedAntihypertensives; enhanced hypotensive effect; increased risk of withdrawal hypertension with clonidine; increased risk of first dose hypotensive effect with post-synaptic alpha-blockers such as prazosin
Antimalarials: increased risk of bradycardia with mefloquineAntipsychotics enhanced hypotensive effect with phenothiazines
Calcium-channel blockers: increased risk of bradycardia and AV block with diltiazem; hypotension and heart failure possible with nifedipine and nisoldipine; asystole, severe hypotension and heart failure with verapamil
Diuretics: enhanced hypotensive effect
Moxisylyte: possible severe postural hypotension
Sympathomimetics: severe hypertension with adrenaline and noradrenaline and possibly with dobutamineTropisetron: increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias – use with caution
ADMINISTRATION
Reconstition
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Route
Oral, IV
Rate of Administration
2 mg/minute initially then titrate according to response or to indication
Comments
200 mg labetalol (40 mL) to 200 mL glucose 5%Can be used undiluted. (UK Critical Care Group, Minimum Infusion Volumes for fluid restricted critically ill patients, 3rd Edition, 2006)
OTHER INFORMATION
No adverse effects on renal function No accumulation in renal impairment Hypoglycaemia can occur in dialysis patientsTachyphylaxis can occur with prolonged us