Labetolol in patients with hypertension and varying degrees of renal impairment

Thirteen hypersensitive patients (7 male, 6 female) with a mean age of 52±12 years were treated with Labetolol for a mean period of 10.5 months. Five patients had essential hypertension and eight had renal disease. Four patients had severely impaired renal function (G.F.R. less than 20 ml/min), four had moderate impairment (G.F.R. greater than 60 ml/min.) and 5 had normal function (G.F.F. greater than 100 ml/min.). Blood pressure, G.F.R., E.R.P.F., Urea and Electrolytes were assessed before commencing Labetolol and at fortnightly intervals thereafter. Labetolol as monotherapy controlled blood pressure in twelve patients and in combination with Natrilix in the remaining patient.