Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Intravenous labetalol and hydralazine are well-studied for immediate treatment of severe range blood pressures in pregnancy. The starting dose of IV labetalol is 10–20 mg with guidelines to repeat blood pressure 10 min after administration. The preferred initial dose for IV hydralazine is 5–10 mg with guidelines to repeat blood pressure 20 min after administration. Nifedipine IR is an appropriate treatment and preferred when peripheral intravenous access has not yet been established. If the patient does not have any contraindications to magnesium sulfate administration, this is the preferred prophylaxis and treatment for eclampsia.