ASHP and Drugs.com are reporting a shortage of labetalol injection due to increased demand and manufacturing delays. This will likely impact the care of pregnant women and postpartum women with severe hypertension. Specifically, Akorn has labetalol 5 mg/mL 40 mL vials on back order and the company estimates a release date of late-March 2017. The 20 mL vials are on allocation. Pfizer has labetalol 5 mg/mL 4 mL Carpuject syringes on back order and the company estimates a release date of early-March 2017. The 20 mL and 40 mL vials are on back order and the company estimates a release date of early-March 2017 for the 20 mL vials and early-April 2017 for the 40 mL vials.
The ACOG Committee Opinion # 623 is being modified to more strongly clarify that immediate release oral nifedipine may also be considered a first-line therapy, particularly when IV access is not available.