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Labetalol, sold under the trade names Normodyne among others, is a mixed alpha/beta adrenergic antagonist that is used to treat high blood pressure It can be given intravenously in severe hypertensive situations, or by mouth for long term hypertension management Its dose and use is limited by its main side effect—postural hypotension, where there is a substantial drop in blood pressure when standing up.

Labetalol's dual alpha- and beta- blockade has different physiological effects in short and long term situations. In short term, acute situations, labetalol decreases blood pressure by decreasing systemic vascular resistance with little effect on stroke volume, heart rate and cardiac output During long term use, labetalol can reduce heart rate during exercise while maintaining cardiac output by an increase in stroke volume

Side effects

Common

• Neurologic: Headache (2%), Dizziness (11%)
• Gastrointestinal: Nausea (6%), Dyspepsia (3%)
• Cholinergic: Nasal congestion (3%), Ejaculation failure (2%
• Respiratory: Dyspnea (2%)
• Other: Fatigue (5%), Vertigo (2%), Orthostatic hypotension

Low blood pressure with standing is more severe and more common with IV formulation (58% vs 1%) and is often the reason larger doses of the oral formulation cannot be used

Rare

• Fever
• Muscle cramps
• Dry eyes
• Heart block
• Hyperkalemia Hepatotoxicity
• Drug eruption similar to lichen planus
• Hypersensitivity - which may result in a lethal respiratory distress

On Dec, 18, 2015: 732 people reported to have side effects when taking Labetalol hydrochloride. Among them, 1 people (0.14%) has Hallucination.

On Jan, 2, 2016: 732 people reported to have side effects when taking Labetalol hydrochloride. Among them, 5 people (0.68%) have Death.