Levatol is a beta blocker medication often prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. This eMedTV segment explains how the medicine works, offers dosing information, lists some of the potential side effects to be aware of, and more.
Common side effects of Levatol may include indigestion or heartburn, headache, and insomnia. This eMedTV Web page lists other common problems and describes potentially serious reactions that may require immediate medical attention.
High blood pressure is commonly treated with Levatol. This page from the eMedTV site discusses these uses for Levatol in more detail (including possible off-label uses), describes how the drug works, and explains whether it is suitable for children.
When treating high blood pressure, the usual prescribed amount of Levatol is 20 mg once daily. This eMedTV resource provides more information on dosing with Levatol and includes warnings on how to stop taking this medication safely.
Certain medicines may cause drug interactions with Levatol, including digoxin, clonidine, and NSAIDs. As this eMedTV page explains, these interactions could lead to dangerously low blood pressure, extremely slow heart rate, and other problems.
If you have diabetes, tell your doctor before taking Levatol. This eMedTV page lists other conditions you should tell your doctor about before beginning treatment. Warnings and precautions with Levatol, including who should avoid it, are also included.
People who take too much Levatol may experience constriction of the airway, low blood sugar, or a coma. This eMedTV resource provides a more complete list of possible effects of a Levatol overdose and explains what treatment options are available.
The full risks of using Levatol (penbutolol) during pregnancy are not known at this time. This eMedTV Web page provides more information on this topic and explains what problems occurred when the medication was used in animal studies.
No studies have been done to see if Levatol (penbutolol) passes through breast milk. This page from the eMedTV library offers more information on breastfeeding and Levatol, and describes the problems that may occur if an infant is exposed to the drug.
Although the patents for Levatol (penbutolol) have expired, no generic versions are available. This eMedTV article explores why generic Levatol may not be available and explains the difference between a generic drug and its "generic name."
