information for parents and carers

Labetalol hydrochloride for high

blood pressure
This leaflet is about the use of labetalol for high blood pressure
(which is also called hypertension).

This leaflet is for parents and carers about how to use this Liquid medicine: Measure out the right amount
medicine in children. Our information sometimes differs from using an oral syringe or medicine spoon. You
that provided by the manufacturers, because their information can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use
is usually aimed at adults. Please read this leaflet carefully. a kitchen teaspoon, as it will not give the right

5.0 ml
2.5 ml
Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again. amount.

Name of drug When should the medicine start working?

Labetalol hydrochloride; also referred to as labetalol Your child’s blood pressure will start to come down after a few
Brand name: Trandate days, although you will not see any difference in your child.

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine? What if my child is sick (vomits)?
High blood pressure can lead to damage to internal organs. • If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a
Labetalol is in a group of medicines called beta blockers, dose of labetalol, give them the same dose again.
which help to lower blood pressure. It opens up blood vessels • If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a
and slows the heart down so that it pumps less forcefully. dose of labetalol, you do not need to give them another
dose. Wait until the next normal dose.
What is labetalol available as?
• Tablets: 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg What if I forget to give it?
• Liquid medicine can be ordered specially from your Do not give the missed dose. Just give the next dose as
pharmacist usual.
Never give a double dose of labetalol.
When should I give labetalol?
Labetalol is usually given three or four times each day. Your What if I give too much?
doctor will tell you how often to give it. It can be dangerous to give too much labetalol because it
• Three times each day: this should be once in the may make your child’s blood pressure too low.
morning, once in the early afternoon, and once in the If you think you may have given your child too much labetalol,
evening. Ideally, these times are at least 6 hours apart, contact your doctor or local NHS services (details at end of
for example 8 am, 2 pm and 8 pm. leaflet) or take your child to hospital.
• Four times each day: this should be first thing in the Take the medicine container or packaging with you, even if it
morning, at about midday, late in the afternoon and at is empty. This will be useful to the doctor. Have the medicine
bedtime. Ideally, these times should be at least 4 hours or packaging with you if you telephone for advice.
apart, for example 8 am, midday, 4 pm and 8 pm.
Give the medicine at about the same time(s) each day so that Are there any possible side-eff ects?
this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help We use medicines to make our children better, but
you to remember. sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-
effects).
How much should I give?
Your doctor will work out the amount of labetalol (the dose) Side-eff ects you must do something about
that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the If your child is short of breath or wheezy after taking
medicine label. 999 labetalol, take them to hospital or call an ambulance
Your doctor will start the medicine at a low dose then straight away as it may have triggered an asthma
gradually increase it until your child’s blood pressure is at the attack.
right level. If your child starts being sick every few hours, has
It is important that you follow your doctor’s stomach pains, is very sleepy or has jaundice (the skin
instructions about how much to give. or eyes look yellow), contact your doctor or take your
child to hospital straight away, as there may be a
How should I give it? problem with your child’s liver.
Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of
Other side-effects you need to know about
water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew
the tablet. • Your child may feel dizzy or light-headed when they
stand up or may faint. Encourage them to take their time
You can crush the tablet and mix it with a small
standing up, for at least 30 minutes after taking labetalol,
amount of soft food such as yogurt, honey or
and to sit or lie down if they feel dizzy or light-headed.
jam. Make sure your child swallows it straight
away without chewing.
 If this happens too often, contact your doctor to check General advice about medicines
your child’s blood pressure, as it may be too low. • Try to give medicines at about the same times each day,
• They may feel physically tired or weak and may have to help you remember.
difficulty getting to sleep or nightmares. • If you are not sure a medicine is working, contact your
Your child may also get some of the following side-effects doctor but continue to give the medicine as usual in the
when they first start taking labetalol. If they are still a problem meantime. Do not give extra doses as you may do harm.
after one week or you are worried, contact your doctor but • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to
continue to give labetalol. anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the
• They may have a headache or a tingling sensation on same, as this could do harm.
their scalp. If you think someone else may have taken the medicine
• They may say their heart is beating slowly. by accident, contact your doctor for advice.
• Their hands and feet may feel cold. If their hands or feet • Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order
hurt contact your doctor for advice. a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run
• They may feel sick (nausea) or be sick (vomit). Giving out.
the medicine with some food or milk may help. • Make sure that the medicine you have at home has
• They may have difficulty in urinating (doing a wee). not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the
packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to
There may, sometimes, be other side-effects that are
dispose of.
not listed above. If you notice anything unusual and are
concerned, contact your doctor. Where should I keep this medicine?
Can other medicines be given at the same time as • Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and
direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
labetalol?
• You can give your child medicines that contain • You may need to keep liquid medicine in the fridge –
check the instructions on the bottle. Make sure the
paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told
medicine doesn’t freeze.
you not to.
• Labetalol should not be taken with some common • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
drugs that you get on prescription. Tell your doctor and • Keep the medicine in the container it came in.
pharmacist about any other medicines your child is
Who to contact for more information
taking before giving labetalol.
Your child’s doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to
• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any
give you more information about labetalol and about other
other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or
medicines used to treat hypertension.
complementary medicines.
You can also get useful information from:
Is there anything else I need to know about this England: NHS 111
medicine? Tel 111
Labetalol can trigger an asthma attack. You must tell www.nhs.uk
your doctor if your child has ever had asthma or wheezy
chest episodes. Scotland: NHS 24
• Your doctor will check your child’s blood pressure and Tel 111
pulse rate regularly while they are taking labetalol. They www.nhs24.scot
will also test their blood to make sure labetalol has not
affected their liver. Wales: NHS 111 Wales
Tel 111
www.111.wales.nhs.uk

Northern Ireland: NI Direct

www.nidirect.gov.uk

www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk

Version 1, May 2015. © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2011, all rights reserved. Review May 2018.
The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through
our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk
We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is
important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply
to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and
editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.