What are the side effects of labetalol?

Commonly reported side effects of labetalol include: anaphylaxis, angioedema, bad side effects (unspecified), blood pressure rise at 6-hour mark, brain tingling at top and back of head, cough, depression, dizziness, extreme fatigue, fatigue, hair loss, hoarseness, ineffective blood pressure control, insomnia, light headedness, lightheadedness, loss of sex drive, malaise, numbness in fingers and feet/toes, shortness of breath, spiking blood pressure at night, tingling, voice loss, wheezing. This treatment also carries an FDA black box warning.

Is labetalol safe for long-term use?

labetalol is generally not recommended for long-term use without medical supervision.

hypertension Treatment Guide

Does labetalol work for hypertension?

Labetalol has a research efficacy score of 59/100 for hypertension — rated Moderate across 33 studies. Real users on social media rate it 84/100.

Research

59 / 100

33 studies

Social

84 / 100

62 posts

Safety

66 / 100

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How does labetalol help hypertension?

combined alpha-1 and non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonism

Category: antihypertensive, beta-blocker

Efficacy: Research vs. Real Users

Research Evidence

59 / 100

Moderate

33 studies · 2369573 participants

Score derived from PubMed research published in the past year.

Real User Reports

84 / 100

Strong

62 posts

Self-reported results can be biased. Use as context, not proof.

How It Works

Administration Oral, Twice daily
Adult dose target Pregnant and postpartum women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy benefit most from labetalol, which significantly reduces severe hypertension, preeclampsia, and fetal/newborn death compared to placebo, and is also used intravenously for hypertensive emergencies including acute stroke.
Child dose target Pediatric patients with hypertensive crises requiring rapid intravenous blood pressure control in acute care settings may benefit, though evidence is extremely limited.

Safety Profile

⚠ FDA Black Box Warning

This treatment carries an FDA black box warning — the most serious type of safety alert. Consult your doctor before use.

/ 100

Safety Score: Moderate

Higher scores indicate a more favorable safety profile.

Known Side Effects

anaphylaxis
angioedema
bad side effects (unspecified)
blood pressure rise at 6-hour mark
brain tingling at top and back of head
cough
depression
dizziness
extreme fatigue
fatigue
hair loss
hoarseness
ineffective blood pressure control
insomnia
light headedness
lightheadedness
loss of sex drive
malaise
numbness in fingers and feet/toes
shortness of breath
spiking blood pressure at night
tingling
voice loss
wheezing

Cautions

✓ Generally considered safe during pregnancy

⚠ Not recommended for long-term use without supervision

Who Should Consider labetalol?

Severity Mild, moderate, severe
Effective areas cardiovascular system
Category Non-steroid Prescription Medication

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does labetalol work for hypertension?: Research gives labetalol a score of 59/100 for hypertension (Moderate), based on 33 studies. Real-user reports score it 84/100.
What are the side effects of labetalol?: Commonly reported side effects include: anaphylaxis, angioedema, bad side effects (unspecified), blood pressure rise at 6-hour mark, brain tingling at top and back of head, cough, depression, dizziness, extreme fatigue, fatigue, hair loss, hoarseness, ineffective blood pressure control, insomnia, light headedness, lightheadedness, loss of sex drive, malaise, numbness in fingers and feet/toes, shortness of breath, spiking blood pressure at night, tingling, voice loss, wheezing. This treatment also carries an FDA black box warning.
Is labetalol safe for long-term use?: Labetalol is generally not recommended for long-term use without medical supervision.
How do you use labetalol?: Labetalol is administered oral, Twice daily, at a target dose of Pregnant and postpartum women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy benefit most from labetalol, which significantly reduces severe hypertension, preeclampsia, and fetal/newborn death compared to placebo, and is also used intravenously for hypertensive emergencies including acute stroke..
Is labetalol safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?: Labetalol is generally considered safe during pregnancy. Always confirm with your healthcare provider.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment. Scores are derived from publicly available research and social media data and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance.