α1 + β blocker
Labetalol
Hypotensive — violet/white stripes 5 mg/mL
Lowers BP and HR together.
Typical adult doses
| Indication | Dose | Onset | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-op hypertension | 5–10 mg IV increments (label: 20 mg for severe HTN, then 40–80 mg every 10 min) | 2–5 min | 2–4 h |
Mechanism
Selective α1 and nonselective β blockade (≈1:7 IV).
Key effects
- ↓ BP, ↓ HR
Watch out for
- Bradycardia, heart block
- Bronchospasm in reactive airways
Pimp questions
Pimp question
Labetalol α:β ratio IV?
Answer
About 1:7 — predominantly β-blockade.