LabetalolIV - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Labetalol images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Labetalol

Uses
This medication is used to treat severe high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Labetalol is both an alpha and beta blocker. It works by blocking the effect of certain natural chemicals such as adrenaline (epinephrine) on the heart and blood vessels. This slows your heartbeat, lowers blood pressure, and reduces strain on the heart.This drug may also be used to treat the symptoms of a certain type of tumor (pheochromocytoma). It may also be used during surgery to decrease blood pressure, which can help decrease bleeding.
Notes

Do not share this medication with others.Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver function tests, complete blood counts) should be performed regularly to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.Have your blood pressure and heart rate checked regularly while taking this medication.
Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure and heart rate at home, and share the readings with your doctor.

Storage

Store the US product at room temperature in the original carton between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light.Store the Canadian product at room temperature in the original carton between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light.Avoid freezing.
After mixing, the product is stable for 24 hours in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include: fainting, severe dizziness, very slow heartbeat, seizures.

How To Use

This medication is given only in the hospital by a healthcare professional.
It is given slowly into a vein by injection or an IV as directed by your doctor.
Generally, labetalol is given while your heart and blood pressure are monitored.Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids.
If you have questions regarding the use of this medication, consult your pharmacist.Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration.
If either is present, do not use the liquid.Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely.

Side Effects

Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, or diarrhea may occur as your body adjusts to the medication.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.This product may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to feel cold.
Smoking may worsen this effect.
Dress warmly and avoid tobacco use.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Medications similar to labetalol may cause or worsen heart failure.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following unlikely but serious side effects: swelling of the ankles/feet, shortness of breath, severe tiredness, unexplained/sudden weight gain.Labetalol can also make it easier to have symptoms of asthma (e.g., feeling of tightness in the chest, trouble breathing, wheezing, cough).
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms occur.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, slow heartbeat, decreased sexual ability, vision changes, butterfly-shaped facial rash, joint/muscle pain, painful/difficult urination, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression), memory loss, confusion, bluish fingers/toes nails, increased thirst, shakiness, unexpected sweating, unusual hunger.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: very slow/irregular heartbeats, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding, black stools, severe/persistent rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, painful erections (Peyronie's disease).This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) liver disease.
If you notice any of the following unlikely but very serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention: dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing of the eyes/skin.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking labetalol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other beta blockers (e.g., propranolol); or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain types of heart rhythm problems (e.g., sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), certain serious heart conditions (cardiogenic shock, severe heart failure), severe breathing problems (unstable bronchial asthma).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart failure (treated, stable type), diabetes, overactive thyroid (e.g., hyperthyroidism), breathing problems (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease), kidney or liver disease, blood circulation problems (e.g., Raynaud's disease, peripheral vascular disease), low blood flow to the brain (cerebral insufficiency), certain skin conditions (e.g., atopy), mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression), certain muscle problems (myasthenia gravis).Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Limit alcoholic beverages.To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.If you have diabetes, this product may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia).
Other symptoms of a low blood sugar level, such as dizziness/sweating, are unaffected by this drug.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness and lightheadedness.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
Rarely, babies born to mothers who took labetalol during pregnancy had symptoms of low blood pressure or low blood sugar such as slow heartbeat, shaking, unusual sweating, or slow/shallow breathing.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn.Labetalol passes into breast milk.
This product may cause undesirable effects in a nursing infant.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If a dose is missed, consult your doctor immediately.

Drug Interactions

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it.
Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: arbutamine.If you are currently using any of this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting labetalol.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: inhalation anesthetics (e.g., halothane), certain antidepressants (e.g., tricyclics such as amitriptyline, desipramine), bronchodilators (e.g., beta agonists such as albuterol), drugs that affect the levels of certain natural chemicals-catecholamines (e.g., guanethidine, reserpine), certain calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil), cimetidine, clonidine, diabetes medications (e.g., glipizide, glyburide, insulin), epinephrine, fenoldopam, glutethimide, methyldopa, nitroglycerin.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or cause a fast heartbeat (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, clemastine, ibuprofen, naproxen).
Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.This product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., urinary catecholamines, amphetamine level).
Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.