Labetalol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Labetalol?

What is labetalol for?

Labetalol is a drug used with or without other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug also works to lower blood pressure, helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

This drug is included in the alpha blocker and beta blocker class. Labetalol works by blocking the action of certain natural chemical compounds in the body, such as epinephrine, on the heart and blood vessels. Because of this, the drug works by lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and stress on the heart.

How do I use labetalol?

Take this medicine by mouth 2 to 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor. Labetalol is usually recommended to be taken immediately after eating.

Take this medicine regularly for best results. To make your medication schedule easy to remember, take it at the same time every day.

To treat high blood pressure, treatment can take up to several weeks to get the desired results.

It is important to continue treatment even if you feel better. The reason is, many people with high blood pressure do not feel pain or feel that they are fine.

Tell your doctor if the condition does not change or gets worse (for example, your blood pressure does not drop or is getting higher).

How is labetalol stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Do not store in the bathroom and do not freeze in the refrigerator.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so.

Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Labetalol dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of labetalol for adults?

The dosage will be based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start a low dose of medication and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

But in general, the dose of labetalol in adults is 100 mg taken twice a day and will be gradually increased from 200 to 400 mg.

For emergency cases, the drug will be slowly injected as much as 20 mg for at least 2 minutes.

The dose will then be increased by 40 to 80 mg every 10 minutes with a maximum of 200 mg per day. The patient will then be asked to remain on their back for and three hours after the procedure.

Meanwhile, for pregnant women, the doctor will give an infusion at a rate of 20 mg / hour. This dose will be doubled every 30 minutes until the desired response is achieved or 160 mg.

What is the dose of labetalol for children?

The dosage for children has not been established. Consult your doctor for more information.

In what dosage is labetalol available?

This drug is available in two forms, namely tablets to be taken directly by mouth and intravenously or infusion. Only a doctor should give a dose of labetalol intravenously.

Labetalol side effects

What side effects can I experience due to labetalol?

Like other medicines, labetalol can cause a variety of side effects. The side effects that may arise due to labetalol include:

• Tingling on the scalp
• Dizziness or feeling of spinning
• Mild nausea
• Stomach ache
• Tired feeling
• Nasal congestion

However, tell your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects, such as:

• Slow, irregular heartbeat
• Feel like passing out
• Shortness of breath, although not moving much
• Weight gain rapidly
• Nausea accompanied by upper abdominal pain
• Lost appetite
• Dark urine
• Pale stool
• Jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes)
• Have severe headaches, blurred vision, palpitations, nosebleeds, restlessness, or severe chest pain

You also need to go to the emergency room immediately if you experience anaphylactic shock such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat.

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Labetalol Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using labetalol?

Before taking labetalol, there are several things that should be considered, namely:

• Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to labetalol or any other medicines
• Tell your doctor about prescription and non-prescription drugs that you are currently taking
• Tell your doctor about your medical history, including any other illnesses you have had
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using labetalol, contact your doctor
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking labetalol
• It is important to know that this drug causes drowsiness. Do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery after taking this medicine

Is labetalol safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This medicine is considered a pregnancy risk category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = Not at risk

B = No risk in several studies

C = Maybe risky

D = There is positive evidence of risk

X = Contraindicated

N = Unknown

Category C means the research may show adverse effects on the fetus when the mother is taking the drug.

Additionally, another suggestion might suggest that there haven't been enough studies done in humans to confirm how the drug affects the fetus.

In rare cases, babies born to mothers who take labetalol while pregnant may have some unusual symptoms such as:

• Low blood pressure
• Slow heart rate
• Slowed breath
• Low blood sugar which is characterized by shaking and sweating

All of these symptoms usually appear a few days after the baby is born. If you see these symptoms in your little one, take him to the doctor immediately.

Meanwhile, for women who are breastfeeding, the medicine can pass into breast milk and cause serious side effects in the child.

Therefore, a doctor's approval is needed before taking this one drug.

Labetalol Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with labetalol?

Drug interactions can change how medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects.

Here are some types of drugs that can interact with labetalol:

• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin)
• Diuretics (water pills)
• Insulin or oral diabetes medication
• Nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur, Nitrolingual, Nitrostat, Transderm-Nitro, and others);
• Antidepressants such as amitruptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others
• Heart or blood pressure medications such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others
• Asthma or respiratory disorders medications, such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), and theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron, Uniphyl)

This article does not include all drug interactions that can occur. Keep a list of the products you use (including prescription / nonprescription medicines and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's knowledge.

Can food or alcohol interact with labetalol?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Labetalol can make you sleepy afterward. Drinking alcohol will add to the drowsiness that has already appeared. Therefore, avoid drinking any amount of alcohol especially when you are traveling or driving alone.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with labetalol?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:

• Angina (severe chest pain) - can trigger chest pain if stopped too quickly
• Asthma
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or a history
• Heart blockage
• Heart failure
• Hypotension (low blood pressure), severe and prolonged
• Diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism (excessive thyroid activity)
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) - can mask symptoms and signs of the disease, such as a fast heartbeat
• Liver disease - use with caution. May worsen the condition
• Lung disease — can cause difficulty breathing in patients with this condition
• Pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal glands) —use with caution. An unusual increase in blood pressure can occur.

If you have or have had any of these health problems, be sure to tell your doctor first before taking labetalol.

Labetalol overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

If you take the drug more than the dose, there are various symptoms that will appear, such as:

• Heart rate slows down
• Low blood pressure
• Dizzy
• Fainting
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling in the feet, ankles, or chest
• Seizures

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule.

Do not double your dose in one shot just because you want to make up for a missed dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.