TREATMENT DATABASE

Normodyne (labetalol) is a beta blocker. Beta blockers slow heart activity by interfering with adrenal hormones.

Beta blockers are used primarily to treat angina and high blood pressure, and to control irregular heartbeat in damaged hearts. They can also be used to prevent migraine headaches, control ocular fluid pressure, and reduce anxiety. Beta blockers work by occupying the specific receptors in the heart, airways, and blood vessels (beta1 and beta2 adrenergic receptors) designed to receive the stimulating neurohormone, norepinephrine. By preventing the action of norepinephrine, beta blockers reduce the force and rate of heartbeats and prevent dilation of blood vessels surrounding the brain and of the airways leading to the lungs.

The action of most beta blockers makes them useful for treating neurally mediated hypotension (NMH), an abnormal reflex interaction between the heart and brain. Patients with NMH experience sudden drops in blood pressure, leaving them feeling faint and weak. Beta blockers are used to help maintain constant blood pressure in NMH.

USES IN ME/CFS: According to Dr. Lapp, various forms of dysautonomia (including NMH), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and other forms of orthostatic intolerance occur in 96% of ME/CFS patients. Researchers of the Northern ME/CFS Clinical Network and Newcastle University found that POTS is three times more likely to occur in ME/CFS patients than in the general population. And researchers at Johns Hopkins University have published findings that seem to demonstrate a link between ME/CFS and NMH.

Beta blockers have been prescribed to treat to treat low blood pressure common in ME/CFS, NMH and POTS as well as idiosyncratic heart problems (palpitations, mitral valve prolapse, and rapid or irregular heartbeat) and, in some circumstances, anxiety and headaches.

Treatment rating for Normodyne (labetalol)