What is labetalol?
Labetalol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and
circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).
Labetalol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Labetalol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking labetalol?
Before taking labetalol, tell your doctor if you have:
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asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;
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diabetes;
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low blood pressure;
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a heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome,
slow heart rate, or congestive heart failure;
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depression;
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liver or kidney disease;
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a thyroid disorder;
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myasthenia gravis;
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pheochromocytoma; or
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problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome).
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
labetalol, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Labetalol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using labetalol.
How should I take labetalol?
Take labetalol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Take labetalol at the same time every day.
Do not skip doses or stop taking labetalol without first talking to your doctor.
Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be
tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using labetalol. You
may need to briefly stop using labetalol before having surgery.
Labetalol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also
include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines
very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood
pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use
blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store labetalol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of labetalol?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 8 hours
away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about labetalol?
Your pharmacist has information about labetalol written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of labetalol?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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slow or uneven heartbeats;
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feeling light-headed, fainting;
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feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
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swelling of your ankles or feet;
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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depression; or
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cold feeling in your hands and feet.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
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decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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tired feeling; or
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anxiety, nervousness.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about labetalol?
Do not stop taking labetalol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly
may make your condition worse.
If you need to have any type of surgery, you may need to temporarily stop using labetalol.
Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of time that you are using labetalol.
Labetalol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are
taking labetalol.
Labetalol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also
include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines
very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood
pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use
blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
What should I avoid while taking labetalol?
Labetalol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are
taking labetalol.
What other drugs will affect labetalol?
Before taking labetalol, tell your doctor if you are using:
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allergy treatments (or if you are undergoing allergy skin-testing);
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clonidine (Catapres);
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guanabenz (Wytensin);
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an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam);
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a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta,
Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin
(Glucophage);
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a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat),
reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem);
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medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders, such as
albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol
(Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), and theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair); or
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cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take
labetalol, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect labetalol. Tell your doctor about all
the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of labetalol?
