Labetalol is used on its own or together with other medicines to help keep your blood pressure under control.
This medicine may also be used to control high blood pressure in pregnant women.
Labetalol may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Labetalol exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take this medicine together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your condition and response to the medication.
Labetalol must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- current or history of asthma, bronchospasm (breathing distress caused by tightening and narrowing of the airways), or obstructive airway disease
- 2nd- or 3rd-degree heart block
- cardiogenic shock (a serious sudden condition when the heart cannot supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the brain and vital organs of the body)
- heart failure that is not controlled or not responding to treatment with digitalis
- sick sinus syndrome (abnormal heart rhythms due to problems with your heart's natural pacemaker)
- severely slow heartbeat
- untreated phaeochromocytoma (rare tumour of the adrenal gland causing high blood pressure)
- Prinzmetal’s angina (a rare type of chest pain that occurs when a person is at rest)
- metabolic acidosis (a condition when there is too much acid in the blood)
- low blood pressure or other conditions associated with severe and prolonged low blood pressure
- severe blood circulation problems
as Labetalol may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- other heart problems e.g. 1st-degree heart block
- history of psoriasis (a type of skin disease that allows the skin cells to rapidly build up causing itchy patches of thick, red skin and silvery scales)
- muscle weakness disorder
- Raynaud’s disease (poor blood circulation which makes the toes and fingers numb and pale when feeling cold or stressed)
- diabetes
- thyroid disease
- history of severe allergic reaction to allergens
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Labetalol.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. heart rate, liver function, blood sugar levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help control your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity like walking for at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to stop your smoking habit.
Labetalol may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or tiredness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, dry eyes, nasal congestion, impaired vision, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, weakness, fever, muscle cramps, tremors, and tingling sensation of the scalp.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine
- cough, wheezing, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, tiredness, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and ankles
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- other medicines for high blood pressure e.g. verapamil, diltiazem, clonidine, nifedipine
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. indometacin, ibuprofen
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. amiodarone, disopyramide, digoxin
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin
- medicines to treat malaria e.g. mefloquine, quinine
- medicines to treat depression e.g. clomipramine, desipramine
- anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisone
- ergotamine (medicine for migraine)
- cimetidine (medicine that reduces stomach acid production)
- glyceryl trinitrate (medicine for chest pain)
- birth control pills
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Labetalol.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light and moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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