Dosing With Labetalol: An Introduction
The dose of
labetalol hydrochloride (
Trandate®) your healthcare provider prescribes will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking
- How you respond to labetalol.
As is always the case, do not adjust this amount unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Labetalol Dosage for High Blood Pressure
The recommended starting dosage of labetalol for most people with
high blood pressure (
hypertension) is labetalol 100 mg twice a day. After a couple of days, based on the
blood pressure response and/or
labetalol side effects, the healthcare provider may increase or decrease the labetalol dosage. Your healthcare provider may also add a diuretic (which is a "water pill") or another
blood pressure medication if your blood pressure is not controlled by labetalol alone.
The usual maintenance dose of labetalol is between 200 mg and 400 mg twice a day. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend taking labetalol three times a day.
General Information on Your Labetalol Dose
Some considerations for people taking labetalol include the following:
- Take your dose of labetalol by mouth with a glass of water.
- You may take this medicine with or without food.
- Take labetalol at the same time each day to maintain even levels in the blood.
- For labetalol to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. This drug will not work if you take it in a way other than how your healthcare provider has prescribed.
- You may notice an increase in lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting when you first start taking labetalol or when your healthcare provider changes your dosage. This usually improves after a couple of hours. Make sure to avoid driving or other activities that require mental concentration during this time.
- If you do not take your labetalol as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Do not take a double dose.
- You should not stop labetalol without first discussing it with your healthcare provider. Stopping the medication abruptly increases the risk for serious side effects (see Precautions and Warnings With Labetalol).
- If you are unsure about anything related to labetalol dosing, please talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Also, as explained, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
