About labetalol hcl
Alpha- and beta-blocker
Used for
- Severe high blood pressure requiring treatment in hospital
- High blood pressure during pregnancy
Usual adult dose
Usually 20 mg intravenously over 2 minutes, followed by repeated or continuous doses adjusted to blood pressure.
Common side effects
- Low blood pressure, dizziness, or fainting
- Slow heartbeat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Scalp tingling
Important warnings
- Requires close blood-pressure and heart-rate monitoring during intravenous use.
- Use caution with asthma, heart failure, or very slow heartbeat.
- May cause low blood pressure when standing.
- Do not stop long-term labetalol suddenly without medical guidance.
Pregnancy
Used for severe high blood pressure in pregnancy when clinically appropriate; treatment requires monitoring.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts enter breast milk; generally considered compatible, with attention to infant feeding and unusual sleepiness.
Interactions
- Other blood-pressure medicines can increase low blood pressure.
- Verapamil or diltiazem can worsen slow heartbeat or heart block.
- Anaesthetics may increase low blood pressure.
- Cimetidine may increase labetalol exposure.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.