Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LABETALOL versus NADOLOL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LABETALOL versus NADOLOL.
Labetalol vs NADOLOL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Labetalol is a racemic mixture of four stereoisomers, each with distinct activity. It is a non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist (blocking beta1 and beta2 receptors) and a selective alpha1-adrenergic antagonist. The alpha1 blockade causes vasodilation and reduces peripheral vascular resistance, while beta blockade reduces heart rate and myocardial contractility, leading to decreased blood pressure without significant reflex tachycardia.
Non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist (beta-blocker) that competitively blocks beta1 and beta2 receptors, reducing heart rate, myocardial contractility, and blood pressure.
Oral: 200-1200 mg/day in 2 divided doses; initial 100 mg twice daily. IV: 20 mg bolus over 2 minutes, may repeat 40 mg at 10-minute intervals. Max cumulative dose: 300 mg.
40 to 80 mg orally once daily, may be increased at 3-7 day intervals up to 240 mg once daily.
MODERATE Risk
MODERATE Risk
Clinical Note
moderateLabetalol + Digitoxin
"Labetalol may increase the bradycardic activities of Digitoxin."
Clinical Note
moderateNadolol + Digitoxin
"Nadolol may increase the bradycardic activities of Digitoxin."
Clinical Note
moderateLabetalol + Deslanoside
"Labetalol may increase the bradycardic activities of Deslanoside."
Clinical Note
moderateNadolol + Deslanoside
"Nadolol may increase the bradycardic activities of Deslanoside."
6-8 hours (terminal elimination half-life); may be prolonged in hepatic impairment, unchanged in renal impairment.
Terminal elimination half-life: 14–24 hours (average 20 hours); prolonged in renal impairment (up to 45 hours) allowing once-daily dosing
Renal (55-60% as unchanged drug and metabolites); biliary/fecal (minor, approximately 5-10%); remainder metabolized in liver.
Renal (unchanged drug) 75-85%; fecal/biliary <5%
Category A/B
Category C
Alpha/Beta-Blocker
Beta-Blocker