Labetalol for high blood pressure during pregnancy
Examples Generic Name Brand Name labetalol Trandate
Labetalol is an alpha- and beta-blocker drug used to lower high blood pressure during pregnancy. It is sometimes given in the hospital setting, either through a vein (intravenously, or IV) or by mouth. Some doctors also prescribe labetalol by mouth for daily outpatient treatment of high blood pressure.
Labetalol decreases heart rate and blood flow, which lowers blood pressure.
Labetalol is used to:
- Treat severe chronic high blood pressure that requires medicine for control during pregnancy. Other drugs may be added for blood pressure control, if needed.
- Treat severe high blood pressure (it does not prevent seizures).
Labetalol must be used with caution in pregnant women who have asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), or a slow heart rate.
Labetalol is usually effective for the control of severe high blood pressure at the end of pregnancy or during labor.1
The side effects of labetalol are usually mild and temporary and may include:
- Dizziness, sleepiness, or weakness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Lack of energy.
- Stuffy nose.
- Skin flushing or tingling of the scalp.
Labetalol may (in rare cases) decrease the heart rate of a fetus. To prevent this, the mother’s blood pressure is monitored carefully and the amount of medicine given is reduced if necessary.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
Labetalol lowers blood pressure quickly. For this reason, both mother and fetus are closely monitored during its use.
Blood pressure medicines are usually not used to treat mild high blood pressure during pregnancy. Mild high blood pressure does not usually cause problems for the mother or the baby.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Citations
Incoming search terms for the article:
- high blood pressure in pregnancy
- high blood pressure in pregnancy
- high blood pressure in pregnancy
- high blood pressure in pregnancy
- high blood pressure in pregnancy
Similar articles
- Hydralazine for high blood pressure during pregnancy
Examples Generic Name hydralazine Hydralazine is sometimes used to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy. It can be given through a vein (intravenously, or IV) to quickly lower severe high blood pressure or by mouth as a tablet to control high blood pressure over a period of time. How It Works
... - High Blood Pressure Treatment Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
High Blood Pressure Treatment (cont.) Emergency treatment of high blood pressure In a hospital setting, injectable drugs may be used for emergency treatment of hypertension. The most commonly used are sodium nitroprusside (Nipride) and labetalol (Normodyne). Emergency medical therapy is needed for patients with severe (malignant) hypertension and in patients with short
... - High Blood Pressure Prescription Medication For Special Groups
High blood pressure is one condition that calls for different treatment in different individuals. While some may benefit from lifestyle changes alone, there are others who may require a more aggressive treatment. And if high blood pressure is present along with other medical conditions, the choice of medication may vary immensely. Here are some special
... - Norvasc Generic
Blood Pressure Articles A-Z Norvasc Indications Norvasc indications include using the drug to treat high blood pressure and certain types of angina. This eMedTV segment discusses these and other uses of Norvasc, including the treatment of migraines and cluster headaches. Norvasc Information Norvasc Interactions Drugs such as antacids, antibiotics, and digoxin can all be taken
... - Tekturna Is First in a New Class of Blood Pressure Drugs
FDA OKs New High Blood Pressure Drug March 6, 2007 — The FDA today approved a new drug called Tekturna to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Tekturna is the first FDA-approved drug in a new class of high blood pressure drugs called renin inhibitors. The kidneys make renin, an enzyme, to help regulate blood pressure.
...