Results obtained from labetalol therapy in essential hypertension.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the antihypertensive effect and the dependability of labetalol in 21 essential hypertensive patients. After a period of one week without drugs, the patients were first given placebo for one week and subsequently 200 mg or 400 mg labetalol daily for eight weeks. Lipid assays were performed and renal and hepatic functions determined before and after therapy. In conclusion, it was shown that labetalol effectively controls blood pressure and reduces heart rate without causing any changes in renal and hepatic functions and lipid metabolism.