Labetalol in the treatment of epinephrine overdose

A 31-year-old man being treated for asthma accidently received 3 mg SQ epinephrine. He began retching and vomiting and developed agitation and profuse diaphoresis. He was treated with 5 mg IV labetalol. His symptoms improved significantly, and he required no further treatment. Although he felt a transient increase in his respiratory effort shortly after administration of the drug, he did not develop wheezing or require additional therapy for bronchospasm. The β-blocking effect of labetalol is greater than the α antagonism. The patient exhibited evidence of mild α stimulation due to incomplete blockade. This is consistent with previous studies in that labetalol tends to less completely antagonize the α effects of a mixed α/β agonist, resulting in a net clinical picture of mild α agonism.

epinephrine, overdose, labetalol

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