Drug dosesFree in the app
Hypertension & eclampsia drugs
Labetalol first, nifedipine second, methyldopa third; target ≤135/85.
Source: NICE NG133 · SmPC · OAALabetalol — oralSevere BP200 mg orally; repeat after 15–30 min if needed, then 200 mg TDS. Max 2.4 g/day.⚠ Avoid in asthma.
Labetalol — IVSevere BP50 mg over ≥1 min, repeat every 5 min to max 200 mg; infusion 20 mg/h, double every 30 min, max 160 mg/h.⚠ Monitor BP and fetal heart closely.
NifedipineBPModified-release 10 mg orally; maintenance 10–20 mg twice daily.⚠ Never sublingual or bitten. With MgSO4 BP may fall suddenly.
HydralazineSevere BP5 mg IV slowly over 5–15 min; repeat after 20–30 min; then infusion per protocol.⚠ Consider up to 500 ml crystalloid with first antenatal dose; tachycardia.
MethyldopaBP250 mg 2–3 times daily; max 3 g/day.⚠ Stop within 2 days after birth (depression).
Magnesium sulfateEclampsiaLoad 4 g IV over 5–15 min, then 1 g/hour for 24 h (after birth or last fit).⚠ Recurrent fit: 2–4 g IV over 5–15 min. Oliguria: 0.5 g/h.
Calcium gluconate 10%Mg toxicity10 ml (1 g) IV over 10 min.⚠ Stop the magnesium infusion first.
Magnesium monitoring
| Every hour | Patellar (or biceps) reflexes; urine output. |
|---|---|
| Every 15 min | Respiratory rate and SpO2. |
| STOP if | Reflexes absent, RR <12, SpO2 <94% or urine <10 ml/h. |
| Levels | Therapeutic 2–4 mmol/L; reflexes lost ~5; respiratory arrest 6–7.5. |
A summary for trained clinicians. Always check the full guideline, the patient in front of you and your hospital's protocol. Spotted an error? Tell us.