Trandate (Labetalol)

General information

Trandate belongs to a class of medications called beta-blockers. It works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in your body such as epinephrine on the heart and blood vessels. This effect lowers the heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart. It is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

Directions

Take Trandate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended starting dose is 100 mg by mouth twice daily after food. The usual maintenance dose ranges from 200 mg to 400 mg by mouth twice daily. The maximum recommended dose is 600 mg by mouth twice daily. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose.

Precautions

Before taking Trandate you should talk with your doctor if you have heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart attack, irregular heart rhythm, variant angina, slow heart rate, asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, kidney disease, liver disease, cirrhosis, diabetes, pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism, problems with circulation (Raynaud's syndrome), any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages. Alcohol could increase drowsiness and dizziness.

Contraindications

You should not take Trandate if you are allergic to labetalol or to any ingredients of the medication, are in cardiogenic shock with very low blood pressure, or if you have a severely slow heart rate, asthma or obstructive airway disease, serious heart block, uncontrolled congestive heart failure. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have slow or uneven heartbeats, nausea, stomach pain, low fever, feeling lightheaded, fainting, feeling short of breath, loss of appetite, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), hives, difficulty breathing, sleep problems (insomnia), dark urine, swelling of your ankles or feet, decreased sex drive, impotence, anxiety, nervousness, depression, difficulty having an orgasm, tired feeling. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: heart medications (diltiazem, reserpine, verapamil, nifedipine), medicine for asthma (metaproterenol, theophylline, pirbuterol, terbutaline), diabetes medication (chlorpropamide, glyburide, metformin), MAO inhibitors (selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine), clonidine, guanabenz, tricyclic antidepressants (doxepin, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, imipramine). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, severe weakness, fainting, trouble breathing.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Store it in a tight container.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.