LABETALOL VERSUS METHYLDOPA: EFFICACY IN PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION

Background: During pregnancy hypertension is an important medical problem and a major cause of maternal mortality. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of α and β-blocker labetalol and centrally acting methyldopa in controlling blood pressure in pregnancy induced hypertension. Material Methods: This study was carried out from June 2012 to May 2014 at Dow University Hospital OJHA Campus Karachi .A total of 120 patients having pregnancy induced hypertension were taken and divided randomly in to two groups. Group A was given labetalol 100mg tid and group B methyldopa 250 mg tid. In both the groups pre and post treatment systolic/diastolic BP was measured on day 1st and 7th and was compared. Following observations were made, reduction in BP, dose of drugs required to control BP, side effects of labetalol and methyldopa. Results: Labetalol treated group of patients showed significant fall in systolic/diastolic BP from day 1st to 7th. In both the group pre and post treatment systolic/diastolic BP was measured and compared on first and 7th day. In patients treated with labetalol systolic/diastolic BP on 1st day was 150 ± 9 mmHg/100 ± 8 mmHg respectively and was controlled to 123 ± 9 mmHg/79 ± 7 mmHg on day 7, while systolic/diastolic BP in methyldopa treated group on 1st day was 148 ± 8 mmHg/102 ± 9 mmHg which was reduced to 125 ± 10 mmHg/82 ± 6 mmHg on day 7. Conclusion: Labetalol indicated better antihypertensive action with less maternal and fetal side effects than methyldopa treated group and proved to be drug of choice in pregnancy induced hypertension