Labetalol Tablet 100mg

About Labetalol Tablet 100mg

Uses

• Long-term management of high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Treatment of chronic hypertension during pregnancy
• Management of pregnancy induced hypertension and mild to moderate pre-eclampsia
• Blood pressure control in patients who need a combined alpha and beta blocker

Benefits

• Provides steady, predictable blood pressure control with twice-daily dosing
• Causes less reduction in cardiac output than pure beta blockers
• Considered one of the safer oral antihypertensives for use in pregnancy
• Can be combined with other blood pressure medicines when needed

What Experts Say

Doctors prescribe oral Labetalol when a patient needs steady, long-term blood pressure control rather than an emergency intervention. Its dual alpha and beta blocking effect lowers pressure without causing the marked drop in heart output that pure beta blockers sometimes produce, making it easier to tolerate for daily use.

Labetalol tablets hold a well-established place in managing hypertension during pregnancy, including chronic hypertension diagnosed before conception and pregnancy induced hypertension. Obstetricians often choose it over ACE inhibitors and ARBs, which are avoided in pregnancy, because of its favorable safety record for both mother and baby.

Physicians usually start with a low twice-daily dose and increase it gradually while checking blood pressure response, since sudden large dose jumps can cause dizziness from a rapid pressure drop. Patients are also advised never to stop the tablet abruptly, since doing so can trigger a rebound rise in blood pressure.

Drug Class

• Combined alpha-1 and non-selective beta blocker
• Antihypertensive agent

Labetalol Tablet 100mg formula

• Labetalol Hydrochloride 100mg

Available forms

• Tablet 100mg

How to use Labetalol Tablet 100mg?

• Take exactly as prescribed by the doctor, usually twice a day
• Swallow the tablet with a glass of water, with or without food
• Take doses at the same times each day for steady blood pressure control
• Do not crush or chew unless advised by the doctor
• Do not skip doses or stop the medicine suddenly without medical advice

Drug Interactions

• Other antihypertensive medicines, which can cause an additive drop in blood pressure
• Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, which increase the risk of slow heart rate and conduction problems
• Insulin and oral diabetes medicines, since Labetalol can hide the early warning signs of low blood sugar
• NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen, which can blunt Labetalol's blood pressure lowering effect
• Tricyclic antidepressants, which may increase tremor risk when combined with Labetalol
• Cimetidine, which can raise Labetalol levels in the blood

Risks and warnings

• Can cause hypotension, especially in the first days of treatment or after a dose increase
• May cause bradycardia (slow heart rate) in some patients
• Use with caution in patients with asthma or COPD due to some beta-blocking activity
• Should never be stopped abruptly, as sudden withdrawal can trigger a rebound rise in blood pressure
• Requires caution in patients with liver disease, since Labetalol is metabolized by the liver
• Needs monitoring in patients with heart block or decompensated heart failure
• Should be used in pregnancy only under a doctor's supervision despite its established safety record

Labetalol Tablet Side Effects

• Dizziness, especially when standing up quickly
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Headache
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Scalp tingling in the first few days of treatment
• Nasal congestion
• Slow heart rate
• Vivid dreams or sleep disturbance
• Swelling in the ankles or legs
• Difficulty breathing in patients with asthma or COPD

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place
• Keep tablets in their original blister strip until each dose is taken
• Protect from direct sunlight and moisture
• Keep the pack tightly closed between doses
• Keep out of reach of children