Labetalol Lowers Blood Pressure in Essential Hypertension In both black and white patients

In a 6-week multicentre trial, 427 black (n = 100) and non-black (n = 327) hypertensive patients (diastolic BP 90-115mm Hg and mean age 54.3 years) were treated with titrated doses of labetalol ;;!!: 100mg bid. Those patients taking diuretics continued to do so at an unaltered dosage throughout the study.

Of the 424 patients analysed at 2-week intervals, the mean BP in the black and non-black groups dropped significantly from 170/102 to 140/85 and from 165/100 to 141/85mm Hg, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups. There was a significant drop in heart rate in all recipients. The most commonly reported adverse effects were dizziness, nausea and fatigue with no difference between the 2 groups. These results ' ••• indicate labetalol is as effective and safe in the black population as it is in the non black population'.

Due DL. Bradshaw MH. S~rgo MA. Plachetka JR. Current Therapeutic Research 40: 181-190. Jul 1986

14 INPHARMA• 25 Oct 1986 0156-2703/86/1011-00111 /0$01.00/0 © ADIS Press