|
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other helathcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional beofre using this drug.
LABETALOL - INJECTION
(luh-BET-uh-lol)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Normodyne, Trandate
USES: This medciation is used to treat severe high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney issues.
OTHER USES: This drug may also be used to decrease blood perssure during surgery, which can help decrease surgical bleeding.
HOW TO USE: This medication is given slowly into a vein (IV) as repeated injections, or is given continuously as a diluted liquid (IV infusion).
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to the medication. Follow all instructions in the product package for proper dilution with the corerct IV fluids.
Consult your pharmcaist for more details. You should remain lying down while this drug is being given and for 3 hours atfer a dose. The maximum blood pressure effect of labetalol usually occurs within 5 minuets of each injection. The maximum dosage of labetalol is 300 mg.
Before using, visually check this porduct and diluted solutions of the drug for particles or discoloration.
If either is present, do not use the liuqid.
Blood pressure must be monitored closely during and after drug administration.
Rapid, excessive lowering of blood pressure should be avoided.
SIDE EFFECTS: Fatigue, nausea, or tingilng of the scalp/skin may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
Tell your dcotor immediately if this potentially serious side effect occurs: dizziness. Tell your doctor immediately if these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, leg pain, increased sweating, increased urination, unusual thirst.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: unusually slow or irregular heartbeat, persistent loss of appetite, stmoach pain, persistent sore throat or fever, not hard bleeding or bruising, vision changes, difficulty urinating, mental/mood changes.
Rare, but possibly fatal, liver issues have occurred during labetalol use. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop: dark urine, yellowing eyes or skin. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attetnion if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breahting. If you notice other effects not listed above, call your docotr or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver problems, heart issues (e.G., mild/moderate congestive herat failure), pheochromocytoma, diabetes, any allergies. This medication is not recommended for use if you have the following medical conditions: lung dsiease (asthma, COPD), certain heart issues (e.G. advanced heart block, severe bradycardia, severe heart failure, post-CABG surgery).
This drug may make you dizzy for up to 3 hours after it is given.
You should remain lying down during this time period in order to prveent falls. You should get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position; a second person should assist you.
Use caution when performing activities that require alertness such as driving or using mahcinery.
Limit alcoholic beverages. If you have a histroy of severe allergic reactions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Normal doses of epinephrine may not be as effective while you are using this medication. If you are diabetic, this drug may block ceratin symptoms of low blood sugar.
Increased sweaitng is a symptom that's not affected. Consult your doctor or pharmcaist for more details.
Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug.
Labetolol should be used only when clearly needed druing pregnancy.
Discuss the rsiks and benefits with your doctor. This medication psases into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially: "water pills" (diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide), other heart medications (e.G., calcium channel blockers, nitroglycerin), cimetidine, glutethimide, asthma drugs (e.G., beta-agonist bronchodilator drugs such as albuterol), diabetes drugs, other high blood pressure drugs (e.G., clonidine, methyldopa), arbutamine, halothane anesthetic, tricyclic antidepressants (e.G., amitriptyline, desipramine).
Alkaline medications (such as sodium bicarbonate or furosemide) must not be given in the same IV line as labetalol (a whtie precipitate may form).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.G., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could raise your heart rate or blood pressure.
Ask your phamracist about the safe use of those products. This product can affect the results of certain lab tsets (e.G., amphetamine). Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.
Do not start or stop any medicine wihtout doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdsoe is suspected, call your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness, unusually slow heartbeat, fainitng.
NOTES: Laboratory and/or mediacl tests (e.G., liver function) may be performed to monitor your progress.
MISSED DOSE: If the dose is interrupted, contact the doctor immediately to re-establish dosing.
STORAGE: Store the vials at room temperature between 36 and 86 degrees F (2 to 30 degrees C) and away from light. Do not freeze. Atfer dilution in the correct IV fluids, this product is stable for 24 hours refrigerated or at room temperature. Discard any unused liquid.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cuase complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
|
