Beta blockers are commonly used to attenuate the transient increase in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) that accompany electrocon-vulsive therapy (ECT). Recent reports have suggested that several beta blockers have anticonvulsant properties and hence could be countertherapeutic with ECT. In a randomized, double-blind controlled study of the dose response effects of intravenous labetalol on ECT hemodynamics and seizure duration, labetalol exhibited dose-dependent reduction in HR and rate pressure product (RPP) at the 5 and 10 mg doses compared to placebo. However, no significant differences between labetalol 5 mg, 10 mg, or placebo were found on BP or seizure duration.