Labetalol Blood Pressure Medicine Side Effects

Editor — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 20:29:26 +0000

Hypertension is increasing among America’s population. Researchers suggest between 25-33 percent of citizens have reason to be very concerned with checking/regulating their blood pressure. If high blood pressure is diagnosed, the family physician will probably suggest several lifestyle changes, to ascertain whether the problem can be solved without more invasive treatment. However, many people will require one or more high blood pressure medicines, to prevent dangerous health issues, in addition to encouraging healthier choices.

Among the plethora of high blood pressure medicines, one of the medicines used is Labetalol, first approved by the FDA in 1997. Labetalol blocks receptors of the adrenergic nervous system and when labetalol attaches to and blocks the receptors, the arterial muscles relax, and the arteries expand, resulting in a fall in blood pressure but there are some side effects.

The most common side effects of labetalol are fatigue, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, edema (fluid accumulation), dry eyes, and tingling of the scalp and skin. Postural hypotension (a rapid decrease in blood pressure when going from the lying or seated position to the standing position that may cause light-headedness or fainting) occurs rarely. Patients should be observed for these possible labetolol side effects within two to four hours of the first labetalol dose and after any changes in dose. Sexual dysfunction, abnormal heart rhythm and difficulty breathing also may occur.

Sometimes a medicine causes unwanted effects. These are called side effects. Not all of the side effects for beta-blockers or labetalol side effects are listed here. If you feel these or any other effects, you should check with your doctor. Side effects may be less if labetalol is given in three daily doses rather than two. Stopping or changing the dose of the drug should be directed by a physician because serious side effects may occur.

visit High Blood Pressure Medicines for a complete list of Labetalol Side Effects

Tags: high+blood+pressure, labetalol, labetalol+side+effects, side+effects, medicine, health, hypertension

High Blood Pressure Ace Inhibitor Drugs

Editor — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 16:36:08 +0000

High Blood Pressure medicine angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) high blood pressure medicine both affect the renin-angiotensin hormonal system, which, as mentioned previously, helps regulate the high blood pressure. The ACE inhibitors work by blocking (inhibiting) an enzyme that converts the inactive form of angiotensin in the blood to its active form. The active form of angiotensin constricts or narrows the arteries, but the inactive form cannot. With an ACE inhibitor as a high blood pressure medicine, 50 to 60 percent of Caucasians usually achieve good blood pressure control.

In patients who have high blood pressure in addition to certain second diseases, a combination of an ACE inhibitor and an ARB drug may be effective in controlling the high blood pressure and also benefiting the second disease. For example, while treating hypertension, this combination of drugs can reduce the loss of protein in the urine (proteinuria) in certain kidney diseases and perhaps help strengthen the heart muscle in certain diseases of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathies). Note that both the ACE inhibitor high blood pressure medicine and the ARB drugs are not to be used in pregnant women.

Aging and Disease » Drugs

Labetalol Blood Pressure Medicine Side Effects

High Blood Pressure Ace Inhibitor Drugs