How and when to take labetalol

Always follow your doctor's advice, and the instructions that come with your medicine.

Dosage and strength

Labetalol comes as 50mg, 100mg, 200mg and 400mg strength tablets.

You'll usually start on a low dose of 100mg, taken twice a day.

The usual dose of labetalol for adults is between 400mg and 800mg a day, split into 2 doses.

If your blood pressure is still too high, your doctor may increase your dose up to 2,400mg a day. You doctor may increase your dose every 1 to 2 weeks if the medicine is not controlling your high blood pressure or angina.

Once you find a dose that works for you, you'll usually stay with the same amount.

If your child is prescribed labetalol, the doctor will use your child's age and weight to work out the right dose.

How and when to take it

Take labetalol with food. It will be less likely to upset your stomach.

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water, juice or milk. Do not chew them.

Try to space your doses out evenly throughout the day.

Adults and children aged 11 years and over usually take labetalol twice a day. If you're on a high dose, you may need to take it 3 or 4 times a day.

Younger children usually take labetalol 3 or 4 times a day.

How long to take it for

If you're taking labetalol for high blood pressure or angina, treatment is usually long term. You may take it for the rest of your life.

If you're taking it for high blood pressure during pregnancy, your midwife or doctor will check your blood pressure regularly. It is likely that you will only need to take labetalol during pregnancy and in the few weeks after having had your baby.

Most women do not need to take it for long after they have had their baby. If you need to keep taking labetalol, your midwife or doctor will continue to check your blood pressure and advise you when it's OK to stop taking your medicine.

Talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking your medicine. They may recommend reducing your dose gradually over a few weeks. Stopping can make your blood pressure rise, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

If you forget to take it

If you miss a dose of labetalol, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

The amount of labetalol that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

Taking more than your prescribed dose can slow down your heart rate and make it difficult to breathe.

It can also make you feel drowsy or confused.