Labetalol in the treatment of hypertension in elderly and younger patients.

The efficacy and safety of labetalol therapy were evaluated in 20 patients 60 years and older with isolated systolic or diastolic hypertension and 19 patients aged younger than 60 years with diastolic hypertension. After a two-week placebo washout period, labetalol was titrated for up to four weeks (100-400 mg bid) until blood pressure control was achieved (standing systolic less than 160 mm Hg or greater than or equal to 10% reduction from baseline, and standing diastolic less than 90 mm Hg or a decrease of 10 mm Hg from baseline). Mean decreases in standing systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline were statistically significant for both age groups (greater than or equal to 60 years, -23/-13; less than 60 years, -18/-12, P less than .01). Control criteria were met in 18 (90%) older and 15 (79%) younger patients who then entered a four-week maintenance period. Sixteen (80%) of the older patients and six (32%) of the younger patients maintained blood pressure control on 200 mg or less of labetalol bid (P less than .05). Three patients, two of whom withdrew from the study, were judged to have experienced adverse events that were drug related. It was concluded that labetalol was effective and well-tolerated antihypertensive therapy in both elderly and younger patients. In addition, significantly less medication was required to achieve blood pressure control in the elderly.