Common questions about labetalol

Labetalol is a type of medicine called a beta blocker.

Like other beta blockers, labetalol works by changing the way your body responds to some nerve impulses, especially in the heart.

It slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

It also works like an alpha blocker to widen some of your blood vessels. This helps lower your blood pressure.

Labetalol starts to work after a few days to reduce high blood pressure.

If you're taking labetalol for high blood pressure, you may not feel any different when you take it. This does not mean the medicine's not working. It's important to keep taking it.

If you're taking it for angina, it will probably take a few days for the medicine to work. Until then, you may still have chest pain during this time, and the pain may even get worse to start with.

Keep your spray or tablets for treating angina attacks with you at all times and use them if you need to.

Labetalol is generally safe to take for a long time.

In fact, it works best when you take it for a long time.

Labetalol works as well as other beta blockers for reducing blood pressure, but it starts working more quickly.

If you're pregnant, labetalol is the first choice for treating high blood pressure.

Labetalol works on the heart and on blood vessels. Other beta blockers, such as bisoprolol, work mainly on the heart.

There are several other medicines to lower blood pressure and treat chest pain. They work in a different way from beta blockers, and include:

• ACE inhibitors like ramipril and lisinopril
• angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) like candesartan
• calcium channel blockers like amlodipine
• diuretics (medicines that make you pee more) like furosemide

Beta blockers are not usually the first-choice treatment for high blood pressure, except if you're pregnant.

The medicine your doctor prescribes will depend on your age and ethnicity:

• if you're under 55, and you're not of African Caribbean or Black African origin, you'll usually be offered an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker
• if you're 55 or older, or you're any age and of Black African or Caribbean origin, you'll usually be offered a calcium channel blocker

You may have to try other medicines to lower your blood pressure if you get side effects.

Many people need to take a combination of medicines.

Tell your doctor that you're taking labetalol if you're going to be put to sleep (using general anaesthetic), or you're having any kind of major operation.

Your doctor may advise you to stop taking labetalol for 24 hours before surgery.

This is because labetalol can lower your blood pressure too much when it's combined with some anaesthetics.

Labetalol will not stop your contraception working.

But some types of hormonal methods of contraception, like the combined pill, progestogen-only pill and contraceptive patch, are not usually recommended if you have high blood pressure.

Talk to your doctor if you're taking or using a combined hormonal contraceptive.

If labetalol makes you vomit or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do.

Find out more:

• What to do if you're sick or have diarrhoea when taking the combined pill
• What to do if you're sick or have diarrhoea when taking the progestogen-only pill

Some people on labetalol say their sex drive goes down and some men say they cannot get an erection.

There's not enough evidence to say for sure that labetalol is causing this.

If you're having problems with your sex life, talk to your doctor.

You do not need to stop playing sports if you take labetalol.

Regular exercise is good for you because it lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition.

Be aware, though, that in some sports labetalol is not allowed if you're competing at a high level.

Labetalol can make some people feel dizzy, especially when they first start taking it or after taking a bigger dose.

If this happens to you, do not drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery until you feel OK again.

It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking labetalol. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.

Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of side effects with labetalol. It can make you feel dizzy or light-headed.

During the first few days of taking labetalol or after an increase in your dose, it's best to stop drinking alcohol until you see how the medicine affects you.

If you find labetalol makes you feel dizzy, it's best to stop drinking alcohol.

Apart from being careful with alcohol, you can eat and drink normally while taking labetalol.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help if you have high blood pressure or a heart problem.

You can boost the health of your heart by making some key lifestyle changes.

These will also help if you have high blood pressure:

• Quit smoking – smoking increases your heart rate and blood pressure. Quitting smoking brings down your blood pressure and relieves heart failure symptoms. Try to avoid secondhand smoke too.
• Cut down on alcohol – drinking too much alcohol raises blood pressure over time. It makes heart failure worse, too.
• Exercise – regular exercise lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition. It does not need to be too energetic, walking every day is enough.
• Eat well – aim to eat a diet that includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins. It's a good idea to follow these tips for a lower salt diet, too. Eating too much salt is the biggest cause of high blood pressure. The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure will be. Aim for no more than 6g of salt a day.
• Manage stress – when you're anxious or upset, your heart beats faster, you breathe more heavily and your blood pressure often goes up. This can make heart failure worse, too. Find ways to reduce stress in your life. To give your heart a rest, try napping or putting your feet up when possible. Spend time with friends and family to be social and help avoid stress.
• Vaccinations – if you have heart failure, it's recommended that you have the flu vaccine every year and the pneumococcal vaccine as recommended by your GP. Ask your doctor about these vaccinations. You can have them free on the NHS. Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination is recommended for most people. Make sure you've had all the doses that you are eligible for. Talk to your doctor if you think you might be in one of the at risk groups.