Trandate

The active ingredient in Trandate is labetalol hydrochloride. It is an alpha-blocker and a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker. It inhibits alpha-1 receptors, widening blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. It also inhibits beta receptors, slowing the heart rate and reducing the amount of work required to pump blood throughout the body.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Trandate. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Trandate:

• Trandate is typically given by mouth twice a day.
• Your blood pressure will need to be checked frequently, and you may require further medical testing. If you have diabetes, you should check your blood sugar regularly.
• Even if you are feeling fine, continue to take this medication as advised. High blood pressure frequently produces no symptoms.
• Inform your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

The most common side effects of labetalol include:

• Nausea or vomiting.
• Nervous system effects like headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, and tiredness.
• Indigestion.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Increased sweating.
• Tingling sensation.
• Blurred vision.
• Slow heartbeat.
• Low blood pressure or feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting (orthostatic hypotension).

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Trandate. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• New or worsening heart failure: shortness of breath, unexpected swelling, weariness, and sudden weight gain.
• Worsening angina or heart attack if stopped suddenly: chest pain and tightness, pain that spreads to your arms, trouble breathing, fatigue, and lightheadedness.
• A hypersensitivity or an allergic reaction: skin rash, hives, trouble breathing, and swelling of your face, tongue, or throat.
• Severe liver damage: dark urine, itching, loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss, yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), stomach cramps or pain, and flu-like symptoms.
• Bronchospasm (muscle tightening around your airways) and trouble breathing.
• Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients treated with alpha-1 blockers (labetalol is an alpha/beta blocker).

These are not all of the possible side effects of Trandate. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Trandate, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. Trandate should not be taken if you are allergic to it or have:

• Asthma.
• "AV block" (second or third degree).
• Uncontrolled cardiac failure.
• Extremely low blood pressure.
• Slow heartbeats (bradycardia) have caused you to faint.
• If your heart fails to pump blood effectively.
• Also, inform your healthcare provider if you've ever had:
• Congestive heart failure or heart disease.
• Liver problems.
• Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and other obstructive airway disease.
• Pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor).
• Diabetes (labetalol can decrease early signs of low blood sugar, such as a fast heart rate, and make it more likely for the low blood sugar to be serious)
• Coronary artery bypass surgery (or "CABG").
• Kidney disease.

If you have any of the below conditions or if any of the following apply to you, please notify your healthcare professional since Labetalol is not safe for you to consume.

• Low heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute).
• Cardiovascular issues (e.g., more than first-degree heart block or cardiogenic shock).
• Heart failure.
• Asthma that has not been controlled or is severe.
• Extremely low blood pressure.

Oral labetalol can take up to 2 hours to begin working, with the effects lasting at least 8 hours after each dose. Keep in mind that this medication must be taken as advised for 2 to 3 days to effectively drop your blood pressure.

The use of labetalol with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Any other antihypertensive medications, including calcium channel blockers like verapamil and diltiazem.
• Aminophylline and theophylline.
• Cimetidine.
• Insulin or oral diabetic medications.
• Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, doxepin, desipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline, and others.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
• A bronchodilator or beta-agonist such as albuterol, formoterol, levalbuterol, metaproterenol, olodaterol, salmeterol, and others.
• Epinephrine.

Typical dosing for Trandate in adults is 100 mg twice daily. If your blood pressure has to be reduced further, your primary care physician will increase your dose every 2 to 3 days. The normal maintenance dose is 200-400 mg twice daily.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, but omit it if it's almost time for the following dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Store Trandate at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Prometheus Laboratories Inc. is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Trandate.

There are several generic versions of Trandate available.

If you need to discontinue taking labetalol for whatever reason, please notify your healthcare provider. Do not abruptly discontinue labetalol because this not only increases your chance of high blood pressure and chest pain but also of having a heart attack.

Trandate is considered a first-line treatment for pregnant women with hypertension. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant. Untreated hypertension during pregnancy can increase the risk of harm to you and your unborn baby.

While Trandate is found in breast milk at low levels, there is no data on how it might affect your breastfed infant or milk production. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.