More from Labecard
Other strengths and forms by Popular Pharmaceuticals PLC
Indications & Uses
Labecard is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Labetalol is an adrenergic receptor-blocking agent with both selective alpha 1-adrenergic and nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor-blocking actions. Both the alpha and beta-blocking actions of Labetalol contribute to lowering blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
Labetalol Hydrochloride is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, with peak plasma levels occurring 1 to 2 hours after oral administration. Its plasma half-life after oral dosing is about 6 to 8 hours. Approximately 55% to 60% of a dose appears in the urine, as conjugates or unchanged Labetalol, within the first 24 hours of dosing. In patients with normal renal function, doses of Labetalol Hydrochloride that controlled hypertension, whether mild or severe, did not affect renal function.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
When blood pressure must be lowered quickly, 50 mg is given by intravenous injection over at least one minute, and this may be repeated every five minutes until the response is satisfactory, up to a total dose of 200 mg.
Dosage for other forms (2)
Oral, Adults: The recommended starting dose is 100 mg twice a day, whether Labetalol Hydrochloride is used alone or together with a diuretic. The usual maintenance dose is 200 to 400 mg twice daily. Patients with severe hypertension may need 1,200 to 2,400 mg per day, with or without a thiazide diuretic; dose increases should not exceed 200 mg twice daily at each step. Elderly patients: most will need only 100 to 200 mg twice daily.
Injection and Infusion.
the injection should be diluted with a suitable intravenous fluid to a concentration of 1 mg per ml; compatible fluids include 5% dextrose solution, 0.9% sodium chloride solution, and a mixture of sodium chloride and dextrose injection.
Hypertension in pregnancy: start at 20 mg per hour, then double the rate every 30 minutes until the response is satisfactory or the rate reaches 160 mg per hour.
Hypertension following acute myocardial infarction: start at 15 mg per hour and increase gradually to a maximum of 120 mg per hour, depending on blood pressure control.
Hypertension after stroke: 10 to 20 mg by intravenous injection over one to two minutes, which may be repeated or doubled every 10 minutes, up to a maximum dose of 300 mg.
Hypertension due to other causes: infuse at about 2 mg per minute until the response is satisfactory, then stop the infusion. The effective dose is usually 50 to 200 mg, though larger doses may be needed, especially in patients with phaeochromocytoma.
Hypotensive anaesthesia: the recommended starting dose of Labetalol Injection is 10 to 20 mg intravenously, depending on the patient's age and condition. Patients in whom halothane is contraindicated usually need a higher starting dose of 25 to 30 mg. If satisfactory hypotension is not achieved after 5 minutes, further increments of 5 to 10 mg should be given until the desired blood pressure level is reached.
Side Effects
Postural hypotension can occur, so patients should avoid standing up suddenly during intravenous administration and for 3 hours afterward. Other reported effects include tiredness, weakness, headache, rashes, tingling of the scalp, difficulty passing urine, upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and liver damage.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
There have been rare reports of severe liver cell injury with Labecard. The liver damage is usually reversible, and it has happened after both short and long courses of treatment. If blood tests show signs of liver injury, or the patient becomes jaundiced, stop Labecard and do not restart it. Take particular care when giving Labecard to patients who already have impaired liver function. Use Labecard with caution in patients with peripheral vascular disease, because their symptoms may get worse.
Contraindications
Labetalol should not be used by anyone with a known hypersensitivity to it. It is also not suitable for patients with second- or third-degree heart block, infranodal atrioventricular (A-V) block, uncontrolled heart failure, sick-sinus syndrome, or cardiogenic shock, and for other conditions marked by severe, prolonged low blood pressure or severe bradycardia. It should likewise be avoided in patients with bronchial asthma or other obstructive lung disorders.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Teratogenic studies were performed with Labetalol in rats and rabbits at oral doses up to approximately six and four times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD), respectively; no reproducible evidence of fetal malformations was observed. In pregnant women with hypertension, Labetalol Hydrochloride did not appear to affect the usual course of labor and delivery. Small amounts of Labetalol, approximately 0.004% of the maternal dose, are excreted in human milk, so caution should be exercised when Labetalol tablets are given to a nursing woman.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Overdose
Labeta overdose causes excessive hypotension and, sometimes, excessive bradycardia. If the overdose follows oral ingestion, gastric lavage or emesis induced with a medicine (syrup) may help remove the drug, provided it is done soon after ingestion. Other measures can be added if they are needed. Excessive bradycardia is treated with atropine. Cardiac failure needs a digitalis glycoside and a diuretic. Hypotension is managed with vasopressors (norepinephrine), and bronchospasm with epinephrine.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep Labetalol Hydrochloride in a cool, dry place, away from light. Always keep it out of reach of children.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Labecard 5 mg/ml
What is Labecard 5 mg/ml Injection?
Labecard 5 mg/ml Injection is a medicine that contains Labetalol Hydrochloride. It is made by Popular Pharmaceuticals PLC. It belongs to the Alpha adrenoceptor blocking drugs group of medicines.
What is Labecard used for?
Labecard is used for: Hypertension, Angina Pectoris, Myocardial Infarction, Stroke.
What are the side effects of Labecard?
Postural hypotension can occur, so patients should avoid standing up suddenly during intravenous administration and for 3 hours afterward. Other reported effects include tiredness, weakness, headache, rashes, tingling of the scalp, difficulty passing urine, upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and liver damage.
Can I take Labecard during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Teratogenic studies were performed with Labetalol in rats and rabbits at oral doses up to approximately six and four times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD), respectively; no reproducible evidence of fetal malformations was observed. In pregnant women with hypertension, Labetalol Hydrochloride did not appear to affect the usual course of labor and delivery. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Labecard?
Labeta overdose causes excessive hypotension and, sometimes, excessive bradycardia. If the overdose follows oral ingestion, gastric lavage or emesis induced with a medicine (syrup) may help remove the drug, provided it is done soon after ingestion. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Labecard?
Keep Labetalol Hydrochloride in a cool, dry place, away from light. Always keep it out of reach of children.
Can I take other medicines with Labecard?
Some medicines can interact with Labetalol Hydrochloride, for example: Halothane, Cimetidine, Melatonin, Verapamil Hydrochloride. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Labecard?
Labecard is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.