Summary
The transfer of labetalol into human breast milk and amniotic fluid was studied in women with pregnancy hypertension. The women were treated with labetalol 600–1200 mg daily. The ratio between the areas under the milk and plasma concentration versus time curves varied between 0.8 and 2.6. No consistent relation between milk and plasma concentration in the mother was observed either within the individuals during a dose interval or between different individuals. One of the nursed infants at the end of the dose interval had a plasma labetalol in the same range as the mother, and in another infant the level was below the detection limit. Amniotic fluid concentrations 2–3 h after dosing were generally lower than in plasma.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fidler J, Smith V, de Swiet M (1983) Excretion of oxprenolol and trinolol in breast milk. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 90: 961–965
Johnson G, Regårdh CG (1976) Clinical pharmacokinetics of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs. Clin. Pharmacokinet 1: 233–263
Koch G (1977) Acute hemodynamic effects of an alpha- and beta-receptor blocking agent (AH 5158) on the systemic and pulmonary circulation at rest and during exercise in hypertensive patients. Am Heart J 93: 585
Kulas J, Lunell NO, Rosing U, Steen B, Rane A (1984) Atenolol and metoprolol: Comparison of their excretion into human breast milk. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Scand (Suppl) 118: 65–69
Lunell NO, Hjemdahl P, Fredholm BB (1981) Circulatory and metabolic effects of a combined alpha- and beta-blocker (labetalol) in hypertension of pregnancy. Br J Clin Pharmacol 12: 345–348
Melander A, Niklasson B, Ingemarsson I, Liedholm H, Schersten B, Sjöberg NO (1978) Transplacental passage of atenolol in man. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 14: 93–94
Michael CA (1982) The evaluation of labetalol in the treatment of hypertension complicating pregnancy. Br J Clin Pharmacol 13: 127S-131S
Richards DA, Prichard BNC (1979) Clinical pharmacology of labetalol Br J Clin Pharmacol 8: 89S-93S
Riley A (1980) Some further evidence for partial agonist activity of labetalol. Br J Clin Pharmacol 9: 517–518
Sandström B, Regårdh CG (1980) Metoprolol excretion into breast milk. Br J Clin Pharmacol 9: 518–519
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lunell, N.O., Kulas, J. & Rane, A. Transfer of labetalol into amniotic fluid and breast milk in lactating women. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 28, 597–599 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00544073
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00544073