Labetalol (la-BAYT-a-lol)

Treats high blood pressure. This medicine is a beta blocker.

Brand Name(s):

Trandate

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with verapamil.
• Some medicines can affect how labetalol works. Tell your doctor if you are also using cimetidine, digoxin, nitroglycerin, or other blood pressure medicine (including calcium channel blockers).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, diabetes, or pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor). Tell your doctor if you have heart failure or any other heart problems. Tell your doctor if you are fasting (including surgery, not eating regularly, vomiting).
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Low blood pressure
  • Slow heartbeat (bradycardia)
  • Heart failure
  • Increased risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) especially in people with diabetes or who are fasting
  • Liver problems
  • Serious eye problems in patients who have cataract surgery, including Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS)
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor, or you could develop life-threatening heart problems.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine, especially before you have any type of surgery.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Chest pain
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, trouble breathing, tiredness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088