Comparison of labetalol and propranolol in treatment of hypertension.

Labetalol 100 mg is equivalent to propranolol 40 mg with regard to antihypertensive effect. The resting heart rate is faster with labetalol than with an equivalent dosage of propranolol. Orthostatic hypotension on a therapeutic dosage of labetalol appears to be unimportant clinically. During one year of labetalol treatment in 18 hypertensive patients, biochemical and haematological monitoring has not disclosed any toxic side effects.