Labetalol is a beta-blocker that is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Labetalol oral is sometimes given with other blood pressure medications.

Labetalol injection is used when hypertension is severe.

Labetalol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Labetalol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken two or three times a day. To help you remember to take labetalol, take it around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take labetalol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of labetalol and gradually increase your dose to allow your body to adjust to the medication. Talk to your doctor about how you feel and about any symptoms you experience during this time.

Labetalol controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take labetalol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking labetalol without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking labetalol, you may experience serious heart problems such as angina (chest pain) or heart attack. Your doctor will probably want to decrease your dose gradually. Your doctor will watch you carefully and will probably tell you to avoid physical activity during this time.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Labetalol oral is taken by mouth.

Labetalol injection is given in a vein by a healthcare provider when hypertension is severe. After the injection you may need to remain lying down for up to 3 hours. You may feel light-headed when you first stand up.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often, and you may need other medical tests. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Labetalol can cause false results with certain lab tests of the urine, including a drug-screening urine test. Tell the laboratory staff that you use labetalol.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

You should not stop using labetalol suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use labetalol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• asthma;

• "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree);

• uncontrolled heart failure;

• very low blood pressure;

• slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint; or

• if your heart cannot pump blood properly.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure;

• angina (chest pain);

• liver disease;

• emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other breathing problems;

• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);

• diabetes;

• coronary artery bypass surgery (sometimes called "CABG");

• kidney disease; or

• allergies.

Labetalol can affect your pupils. If you need eye surgery, tell the surgeon about your use of labetalol, even if you no longer take it.

Labetalol may cause low blood pressure, low blood sugar, slow heartbeats, or breathing problems in a newborn if the mother uses labetalol during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing, extreme dizziness, seizure, or fainting.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how labetalol will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of labetalol.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Labetalol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop);

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

• severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears; or

• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), flu-like symptoms, itching, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Severe dizziness or fainting may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects of labetalol may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;

• nausea, vomiting;

• sudden warmth, skin redness, sweating;

• numbness; or

• tingly feeling in your scalp.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• any other blood pressure medicine;

• aminophylline, theophylline;

• cimetidine;

• heart medication;

• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;

• an antidepressant--amitriptyline, doxepin, desipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline, and others; or

• a bronchodilator--albuterol, formoterol, levalbuterol, metaproterenol, olodaterol, salmeterol, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect labetalol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain laboratory tests to check your body's response to labetalol. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to labetalol. Your doctor may ask you to check your pulse (heart rate). Ask your pharmacist or doctor to teach you how to take your pulse. If your pulse is faster or slower than it should be, call your doctor.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking labetalol.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Normozide® (containing Labetalol, Hydrochlorothiazide)
• Trandate HCT® (containing Labetalol, Hydrochlorothiazide)