Labetalol Hcl Tablets 100Mg (1 Strip = 10 Tablets)

Requires Prescription (YES/NO)

Yes

Generics

Labetalol HCl

Used For

Hypertension

How it works

Labetalol belongs to a family of medicines known as beta-blockers. Labetalol works by causing the heart to beat slower and with less force. It also widens the arteries in the body. This helps to lower the pressure of the blood as it travels around the body .

Dosage

Labetalol HCl

Side Effects

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): • difficulty passing urine • ejaculation problems, difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection • dizziness • flu-like symptoms and fever • tingling in the scalp may occur but wear off in the first few weeks of treatment. • raised liver enzymes in the blood . Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): Patients with a history of asthma may suffer from wheezing, coughing or worsening of their symptoms. Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): • a very slow heart beat

Drug Interactions

• Antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline • barbiturates e.g. phenobarbital, to help you sleep • other medicines to lower blood pressure e.g. hydralazine, nifedipine • medicine given by injection which contains adrenaline • antidiabetic drugs, including insulin • other beta-blockers • medicine for mental illness such as chlorpromazine • cimetidine, to treat heartburn or ulcers • anti-inflammatory painkillers e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin, other medicines used to treat pain, or corticosteroids e.g. prednisolone • antimalarial medicines e.g. mefloquine or quinine • medicines to treat migraine e.g. ergotamine • alprostadil to treat impotence • moxisylyte to treat Raynaud’s disease, a condition that affects the blood circulation to the fingers and toes • aldesleukin for the treatment of secondary cancer of the kidney • hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone used as contraceptives or for hormone replacement therapy.

Indication

Labetalol is used: • To treat high blood pressure (hypertension), including high blood pressure in pregnancy. • To treat angina (pain in the chest, arms, shoulders or neck caused by effort, stress or cold weather) in patients with high blood pressure.

When not to Use

Do not take Labetalol if you • Are allergic to labetalol hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients • Suffer from a slow heart beat (known as bradycardia) or low blood pressure • Suffer from heart failure which has not improved with treatment e.g. digoxin • Suffer from missed heart beats (heart block) or a severe heart condition called cardiogenic shock .

Precaution

In patients with latent cardiac insufficiency, continued depression of the myocardium with beta-blocking agents over a period of time can, in some cases, lead to cardiac failure. At the first sign or symptom of impending cardiac failure, patients should be fully digitalized and/or be given a diuretic, and the response should be observed closely. If cardiac failure continues despite adequate digitalization and diuretic, therapy should be withdrawn (gradually, if possible).

Warning 1

Particular care should be taken when labetalol is used in patients with hepatic impairment as these patients metabolise labetalol more slowly than patients without hepatic impairment. Lower doses may be required.

Warning 2

Particular care is required with patients whose cardiac reserve is poor. Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs should be avoided in overt heart failure or poor left ventricular systolic function, although they may be used when cardiac failure has been controlled.

Warning 3

Great care should be taken with patients with peripheral circulatory disorders such as Raynaud's disease or syndrome or intermittent claudication. Beta adrenoceptor blockers may lead to the aggravation of such disorders.

Pregnancy category

Always consult your physician before using any medicine.

Storage (YES/NO)

Store this medicine at room temperature, away from direct light and heat.