Common uses
Labetalol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Labetalol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Before using
Before taking labetalol, tell your doctor if you have:
- asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;
- diabetes;
- low blood pressure;
- a heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, slow heart rate, or congestive heart failure;
- depression;
- liver or kidney disease;
- a thyroid disorder;
- myasthenia gravis;
- pheochromocytoma; or
- 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.
Directions
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.
Cautions
Labetalol has caused severe liver damage in some people. Although this is a rare occurrence, if you develop any symptoms of abnormal liver function--itching, dark urine, continuing loss of appetite, yellow eyes and skin, or unexplained "flu-like" symptoms--contact your doctor immediately.
If you have a history of congestive heart failure, or kidney or liver disease, Labetalol should be used with caution.
Labetalol should not be stopped suddenly. This can cause chest pain and heart attack. Dosage should be gradually reduced.
If you suffer from asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or other bronchial diseases, Labetalol should be used cautiously.
This medication may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar or alter blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic, discuss this with your doctor.
Notify your doctor or dentist that you are taking Labetalol if you have a medical emergency, and before you have surgery or dental treatment.
Possible side effects
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:
- slow or uneven heartbeats;
- feeling light-headed, fainting;
- feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
- swelling of your ankles or feet;
- nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- depression; or
- cold feeling in your hands and feet.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
- decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- tired feeling; or
- 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.
If you take too much
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a labetalol overdose may include uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
Additional information
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.
Drug interactions
Before taking labetalol, tell your doctor if you are using:
- allergy treatments (or if you are undergoing allergy skin-testing);
- clonidine (Catapres);
- guanabenz (Wytensin);
- an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam);
- a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);
- a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem);
- 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
- 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.
|
