Anyone on Labetalol?

Sarendipity

I got on some BP meds last night after my BP's had been staying around the 160s over 100-110s. (I am on hospital bedrest for PIH and being watched closely for pre-e).  I don't know the dose but he said he was starting it at a low dose. After an hour, my BP dropped from 165/100 to 132 over 72. I was not feeling good. Everything was shaking/jittery, even my lips! They made me drink juice and milk and eat peanut butter and crackers and that sort of helped.

Are you supposed to eat with this stuff when you take it? I asked the nurses but they said no. Does my body just have to get used to it?

But, I slept until 6 am when they checked me again and it was up again to 160 something over 105. I am due for another dose of BP medicine at 8 am. I know I just started it...does it eventually work for the full 12 hrs?

Dr said it would take a day or two to really start working...is that what he means? That it will eventually cover me for 12 hrs? Thanks for your advice and insight.

Debra4love

I am on Labetalol and it has been working great for me controlling my pressure at the lowest dose. HOWEVER-it makes me feel horrible! It made my scalp tingle and I generally feel tired now- more than just pregnancy tired. If I take it before my shower in the morning, I almost pass out. So with that being said I have stuck with ur because it was the safe medicine for my baby, but oh my goodness I can't wait to stop this! Hang in there. I'm not sure I can say the meds get better, but you will learn to cope with it. Or they may change your meds. I know how you feel and I am so sorry:(

AprilF320

I have been on Labetalol since May of '11.  Quick trip back in time, I have had high blood pressure for many years now and in May of '11 my doctor put me on the Labetalol since my husband and I were going to start trying to have a baby, and it's the safest for baby.  Back up to speed, I take 100 mg, 2 times a day and have not had any problems at all with it.  My blood pressure has been great according to both my family practitioner and the obgyn.  Obviously blood pressure fluctuates but I am anywhere between 122 - 139 over 65 - 80. 

In regards to eating with Labetalol, I usually don't.  I take one in the morning when I get out of bed (6:00 am) and I typically don't eat breakfast until 8:30.  In the evening I take my second dose around 9:00 pm, but I do have food in my stomach at that time since we usually eat dinner around 7:00.

My opinion for you is to keep taking it and see how it works.  Let your body readjust.  If the doctors don't think it's working the right way they will look into finding something else for you. 

On a side note I have not had any of the drowsy feelings or the shakes from this medicaiton.

 I hope you feel better! 

 

megan2545

My doctor put me on Labetalol a few weeks ago, 100 mg 2 times a day, and the pharmacist actually told me to take it with food or milk and that I might feel fatigued or shaky for the first few days because it's regulating BP.  The first time I took it I felt SUPER weird, I was like cold and clammy and a little shaky and really tired, but after a few doses it went away.  I would just give yourself a few days to adjust.