Normodyne and Trandate are two brand names for labetalol, a drug used by itself or in combination with other drugs in the treatment of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. High blood pressure taxes the human heart and, if left untreated, can lead to such problems as heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. Labetalol is a beta-blocker and a prescription-only drug. It is available as an intravenous or oral medication.
Serious Side Effects
Labetalol may cause some side effects that require medical help. Some of these are more common than others, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you get one or more of these side effects, call your physician as soon as possible. They include dizziness, a tingling sensation in the skin or scalp, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, pain in the chest, discomfort or tightness in the chest, a cough, vomiting blood, facial swelling, reduced heartbeat speed, pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, chills, fever, decreased appetite, nausea, lightheadedness, confusion, palpitations, bad breath, bodily weakness, unusual stool colors, headaches, sweats, itching, rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, unusual urine color, welts, hives, irritation, skin redness, eyelid swelling, lip swelling or labored breathing.
Non-serious Side Effects
There are possible temporary side effects from labetalol that are not serious. They may be annoying, however. They may disappear as you continue to use labetalol and not bother you again. Report them to your doctor if they persist. These include vomiting, acidic stomach, stomach irritation, discomfort or upset, belching, nasal congestion, uncommon drowsiness, taste changes, lowered libido, indigestion or heartburn, impotence or a decrease in sexual performance or ability.
Overdose
The proper dose of labetalol, according to the Mayo Clinic, is approximately 100 mg twice per day at the beginning of treatment, with increases possible upon your physician's recommendation. If you take too much of the medication, you may experience side effects related to an overdose. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of these effects, including gaining weight, convulsions, unconsciousness that is sudden, veins in the neck that become dilated, loud breathing, extreme fatigue, spasms in the muscles or extremities, breathing that becomes irregular or the inability to control bladder function.
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