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

  • 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

References

1. Gupte S, Wagh G. Preeclampsia-eclampsia. J Obstet Gynaecol India
2014;64:4-13.
2. Mammaro A, Carrara S, Cavaliere A, Ermito S, Dinatale A, Pappalardo EM,
et al. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. J Prenat Med 2009;3:1-5.
3. Côté AM, Brown MA, Lam E, von Dadelszen P, Firoz T, Liston RM, et al.
Diagnostic accuracy of urinary spot protein: Creatinine ratio for proteinuria
in hypertensive pregnant women: Systematic review. BMJ 2008;336:1003-6.
4. Steegers EA, von Dadelszen P, Duvekot JJ, Pijnenborg R. Pre-eclampsia.
Lancet 2010;376:631-44.
5. Uzan J, Carbonnel M, Piconne O, Asmar R, Ayoubi JM. Preeclampsia:
Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. Vasc Health Risk Manage
2011;7:467-74.
6. Kattah AG, Garovic VD. The management of hypertension in pregnancy.
Adv Chronic Kidney Dis 2013;20:229-39.
7. Pickles CJ, Broughton Pipkin F, Symonds EM. A randomised placebo
controlled trial of labetalol in the treatment of mild to moderate pregnancy
induced hypertension. BJOG Int J Obstet Gynaecol 1992;99:964-8.
8. El-Qarmalawi AM, Morsy AH, Al-Fadly A, Obeid A, Hashem M.
Labetalol VS. methyldopa in the treatment of pregnancy-induced
hypertension. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1995;49:125-30.
9. Plouin PF, Breart G, Maillard F, Papiernik E, Relier JP. Comparison of
antihypertensive efficacy and perinatal safety of labetalol and methyldopa
in the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy: A randomized controlled
trial. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1988;95:868-76.
Published
2021-10-01
Section
Original Articles