Comparison of Efficacy of Labetalol versus Alphamethyldopa in the Management of Preeclampsia

B Preethi; B Sindhuja

B Preethi Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
B Sindhuja Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Keywords: Labetalol, Methyldopa, Pregnancy-induced hypertension

Abstract

risk of adverse outcomes. Preeclampsia is a multi-system disorder of unknown etiology, unique to pregnancy characterized by
the occurrence of gestational hypertension along with proteinuria after the 20th week of pregnancy in a previously normotensive
and non-proteinuric patient.
Aim: The aim of the study was to study the efficacy of oral labetalol versus oral Alpha-methyldopa in the management of
preeclampsia.
Methods: Hundred patients included in this study were assigned to two groups randomly of 50 patients in each group. Group 1:
Tablet Alpha-methyldopa (Aldomet) 250 mg was given thrice daily, and Group 2: Tablet Labetalol 100 mg was given twice daily.
Blood pressure (BP) and proteinuria were recorded every 12th h.
Results: Significant fall in the diastolic BP after 48 h occurred only in the labetalol group (P = 0.007). In the Alpha-methyldopa
group, there was a significant need to increase the drug dose after 48 h (P = 0.043). There appears to be no significant difference
in induction rate between the two groups (P = 0.585). The mean birth weight was significantly higher (P = 0.00) in the labetalol
group (3.11 kg) compared to the alpha methyldopa group (2.67 kg). There was no significant difference in the Appearance,
Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration scores (P = 0.090) and rate of neonatal admissions (P = 0.240) in both groups.
Conclusion: Labetalol controls systolic and diastolic BP more rapidly and effectively than methyldopa. The safety profile and
adverse effects of Labetalol and Methyldopa are similar to each other.

Author Biographies

B Preethi, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

B Sindhuja, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Senior Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

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