Labetalol

Labetalol is a medication that belongs to the class of beta blockers. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), including in pregnancy. It works by blocking the effects of certain natural substances on the heart and blood vessels, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. This helps to lower the blood pressure and prevent complications like heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. Labetalol is available in oral and injectable forms. The oral form is usually taken twice a day, with or without food. The injectable form is used in emergency situations, such as severe hypertension or preeclampsia. The dose and duration of treatment depend on the condition and response of the patient. Labetalol can cause some side effects, such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headache, or low blood pressure. These are usually mild and temporary, but some may be serious and require medical attention. For example, labetalol can cause liver problems, heart failure, or bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways). Therefore, it is important to monitor the liver function, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing of the patient regularly while taking this medication. Labetalol is a generic name for several brand names, such as Normodyne and Trandate. It is also sold under different names in different countries. Some of the top global brands of labetalol are: –

• Presolol (India)
• Albetol (Finland)
• Ipolab (Italy)
• Labrocol (Brazil)
• Labetaloli (Spain)

Labetalol is a widely used and effective medication for hypertension, especially in pregnancy. However, it is not suitable for everyone and may interact with other medications or conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking this medication and follow the instructions carefully. The following table shows the price of labetalol in different countries, based on the average cost per tablet of 100 mg oral labetalol from online pharmacies. The prices are converted to US dollars for comparison. The table also includes the references for the sources of the data.

Country	Price per tablet (USD)	Reference
USA	0.32	GoodRx
UK	0.14	BNF
Canada	0.22	PharmacyChecker
Australia	0.18	PBS
India	0.04	Medindia

Table 1: Price of labetalol in different countries.

This blog post is intended to provide general information about labetalol and its use for hypertension. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication.