Anyone on labetalol? (xp with Aug 2012)

Sarendipity · July 2012

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.

tma1685 · July 2012

I've been on it for about 6 weeks now. I've never had any side effects like that. When I was put on it my BP's were around 175/95 and now they usually stay around 120/70. If you have pre-e meds won't keep your bp down so that could be part of it. GL just try to stay calm and relax it helps.

rsideemd · July 2012

I've been on a low dose of Labetalol for about a month now. I take 200 mg twice a day. The directions on my bottle said you can take it with or without food. However, you need to make sure you take it the same way every time. So if you started it without taking food with it, continue doing that.

I never had any side affects when I started taking it, just a headache for one day. From what I remember, the stuff you mentioned can accompany it for the first week or so. I read that one in the pamphlet that came from the pharmacist.

My doctor told me it would take one to two weeks for it to fully take affect. He's been seeing me once a week since I started taking it to make sure it's doing it's job. It's kind of bottomed out right now and is staying right around 126/76.

I feel for you on the pre-e. They're testing me right now to see if I have it as well. I will be getting my results from bloodwork and a 24 hour urine sample on Tuesday. Good luck with everything!

Sarendipity · July 2012

Luckily I will be full term (37 wks) in 9 days, so we are doing pretty well. The downside perhaps of being in the hospital is you don't get to see any of those drug inserts!

shasteencorin · July 2012

I have been on labetalol since last Aug.2011. I have not notice any side effects with it, but if this is your first time on BP meds it just might be that your bp lowered quickly and caused you to feel ligh headed, shakey, etc. It takes about a week or two for medication to get in your system and really start working. Once you get passed that point your blood pressure should start to regulate.

My doctor told me it does not matter if you take it with food or no food, just make sure to take it at the same time each day with plenty of water. Water is the key!! I will pray that this get better for ya!

emu0013 · July 2012

I have had blood pressure issues for over 10 years, and have been on Labetalol for over 3 years since we started TTC. If I don't eat with it, and by eat I mean a meal, I get dizzy and neausous. I see a endrocronolgist that has perscribed it and he did tell me that many patients have that side effect. I take mine usually at 10am and 10pm and seem to not have as many issues with it then. I take 400mg twice per day. Try eating a meal and waiting a half hour then taking it.

mom0716 · July 2012

rsideemd:
I've been on a low dose of Labetalol for about a month now. I take 200 mg twice a day. The directions on my bottle said you can take it with or without food. However, you need to make sure you take it the same way every time. So if you started it without taking food with it, continue doing that.
I never had any side affects when I started taking it, just a headache for one day. From what I remember, the stuff you mentioned can accompany it for the first week or so. I read that one in the pamphlet that came from the pharmacist.
My doctor told me it would take one to two weeks for it to fully take affect. He's been seeing me once a week since I started taking it to make sure it's doing it's job. It's kind of bottomed out right now and is staying right around 126/76.
I feel for you on the pre-e. They're testing me right now to see if I have it as well. I will be getting my results from bloodwork and a 24 hour urine sample on Tuesday. Good luck with everything!

This. I have been on it a week now. I have gotten a bit shaky especially if I over exert myself. But within a the week of me being on the medicine it has helped to lower my BP and I have not noticed any other side effects. I go in tomorrow night to be induced! GL OP

Sarendipity · July 2012

It's my first time with blood pressure medicine of any kind. Never had high BP until about week 32. Had a second dose this morning and still feel shaky, but I can deal with that if baby gets to keep growing.

I saw the doc this morning and mentioned it to him and he didn't act like it was normal, so I am really glad you ladies have reassured me it isn't so weird!

sycheh · July 2012

I started labetalol a few months ago. It's been working out just fine, but that first day I started taking it, I definitely was light-headed and felt a little dizzy. Since then, everything's been maintaining just fine. I think you probably just have to get used to it.

boo-bitz · July 2012

In any blood pressure med if it drops your blood pressure quickly, you will feel like crap because your body has adjusted to being at such a high level it is a shock to be back to normal.

The number of patients that come into the pharmacy with this issue is crazy and not just pregnant women but all walks of life, but you will adjust and probably feel fine next time you take your meds.

HTH and GL!!

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