Thursday January 10, 2008


Q; Which beta-blocker is prone to cause life-threatening hyperkalemia particularly in kidney transplant patient?

A; Labetalol

One of the relatively unknow and fortunately benign side effect of beta-blockers is hyperkalemia. Most of the hyperkalemia is benign particularly with cardio-selective b-blockers. But life-threatening hyperkalemia may occur after IV dose of labetalol, particularly in patients with chronic renal failure, hemodialysis patients and post kidney transplant patients.


References: click to get abstract / article

1. Labetalol-Induced Hyperkalemia in Renal Transplant Recipients , American Journal of Nephrology 2002;22:347-351

2. Possible Metoprolol-Induced Hyperkalemia, Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 19, No. 5, 320-325 (2006)