LABETALOL

Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when you suddenly stop this drug. Some people who have suddenly stopped taking similar drugs have had chest pain, heart attack, and irregular heartbeat. If your doctor decides you should no longer use this drug, he or she may direct you to gradually decrease your dose over 1 to 2 weeks.

When gradually stopping this medication, it is recommended that you temporarily limit physical activity to decrease strain on the heart. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop chest pain/tightness/pressure, chest pain spreading to the jaw/neck/arm, unusual sweating, trouble breathing, or fast/irregular heartbeat.

Minor side effects (if these symptoms persist or worsen, inform your doctor)

• Dizziness and tiredness, scalp tingling, decreased sexual ability has been reported

Serious side effects (inform your doctor immediately)

• very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, blue fingers/toes, trouble breathing, new or worsening symptoms of heart failure (such as swelling ankles/feet, severe tiredness, shortness of breath, unexplained/sudden weight gain), mental/mood changes (such as confusion, mood swings, depression)
• May rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) liver disease
  • persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine.

Severe allergic reactions are rare. Get immediate medical help if you notice the following:

• Rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing

Precautions

• Inform your doctor
  • Allergy to the medication or any allergies
  • Medical History of treated stable heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, overactive thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism), serious allergic reactions including those needing treatment with epinephrine, blood circulation problems (such as Raynaud’s disease, peripheral vascular disease), mental/mood disorders (such as depression), a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis), certain eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma), certain types of heart rhythm problems (such as a slow heartbeat, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), severe heart failure, breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema)

• May cause dizziness or drowsiness. Limit alcohol intake

• Elderly may be more sensitive to side effects

• Labetalol has been used to treat high blood pressure in pregnant women. It is important to control high blood pressure for the health of the mother and unborn baby. If you are planning to be pregnant or think you may be pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits of use with your doctor.
  • Rarely, babies born to mothers who took labetalol during pregnancy may have symptoms of low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, slow breathing, and low blood sugar (such as shaking, unusual sweating) for a few days after delivery. Inform your physician immediately if you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn.

• Consult your doctor before breast-feeding as this medication passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects on your baby

Interactions

Taking multiple drugs may affect how medications work and/or cause unwanted side effects. List down all the medications you are taking and inform your physician and pharmacist. Do not take, discontinue, or alter any dose of medications without prior approval of your physician.

• Products that may interact with this medication include:
  • cimetidine, fingolimod.

• Double check all the labels of the medications you are currently taking (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for pain/fever reduction) as they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or heart rate.

• If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

• Symptoms of overdose may include:
  • Very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, severe weakness, fainting, trouble breathing.

Missed Dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and as soon as you remember, take a regular dose or if the time of the next dose is near, wait for it before taking another dose and resume your usual schedule. Do not increase the dose to compensate for the missed dose.

Storage:

• Store between 2-30 degrees C
• Do not expose to light and moisture
• Do not store in the bathroom
• Keep all medications away from pets and children