Normodyne

Normodyne is used to treat high blood pressure. Doctors prescribe to control blood pressure in patients with severe hypertension. Normodyne is a beta blocker. It works by slowing down heart rate and relaxing blood vessels so blood pressure drops.

Doctors sometimes use other medicines with Labetalol, such as water pills, to lower blood pressure levels.

Normodyne requires a prescription and must be used only according to doctor’s instructions.

Before using Normodyne, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Tell your doctor if you experienced allergies to Normodyne before. You cannot use Labetalol if you are allergic to it.

You cannot use Normodyne if you have the following conditions:

• Second- or third-degree (complete) heart block, or moderate to severe heart block after a heart attack, heart failure, and other heart problems.
• Abnormal ECG readings
• If you experienced shock due to heart problems
• Breathing disorders such as asthma and obstructive airway diseases
• Have very slow heartbeat
• Have low blood pressure

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before receiving Labetalol. Labetalol is a pregnancy category C drug so it may be unsafe to unborn babies when given to pregnant patients. Doctors usually use Labetalol on pregnant patients only if benefits outweigh the risks. Do not breastfeed while receiving Labetalol because it may be expressed in breast milk.

Labetalol is not proven safe for children and patients below 18 years old, so do not use it on them.

Mention all your health conditions to the doctor before receiving Labetalol.

The doctor need to know if you have the following health problems before prescribing Normodyne:

• Diabetes
• Tumor in the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma)
• Lung or breathing problems such as bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema
• Kidney problems
• Liver problems
• Problems with the thyroid
• Scheduled for or recently had surgery

Tell the doctor all the medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal substances, before taking Labetalol. This will avoid interactions that may cause undesirable effects.

Make sure to notify your doctor if you are receiving the following medicines:

• Calcium channel blocker drugs such as Amlodipine, Felodipine, Nicardipine, Nifedipine and Verapamil
• Cimetidine
• Digoxin
• General anesthetics such as Halothane
• Nitroglycerin
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as Amitriptyline
• Albuterol

To use Normodyne properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Normodyne is injected into the veins (intravenous route). Only a doctor or other health professionals can give you Normodyne, and you can only have it in the hospital or doctor’s clinic.

Dosing of Normodyne depends on the severity of hypertension. Labetalol is usually given only if blood pressure is very high.

The doctor may choose to infuse Labetalol slowly or perform repeated infusions. Your caregivers will monitor your blood pressure levels during and some time after infusion of Labetalol.

Labetalol works quickly, and infusion continues until the doctor becomes satisfied with the results of blood pressure readings. If you are receiving Labetalol via slow infusion, the doctor may choose to switch you to oral Labetalol once blood pressure levels are controlled.

Infusion of Labetalol may cause severe dizziness due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. Therefore, you may be ordered to remain lying down on the bed (supine position) while Labetalol is being infused and for up to 3 hours after administration.

If you try to stand up, you may sustain a fall that can add to the problem. If you need to urinate, you will have to do it using a bedpan. Follow your caregiver’s instructions when receiving Labetalol.

Labetalol is usually given by health professionals, so overdose is very unlikely. Do not miss a dose of Labetalol, especially if you have high blood pressure, to prevent dangerous consequences such as stroke or an aneurysm.

In using this drug, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. Normodyne may cause dizziness, drowsiness or lightheadedness, which can be dangerous if you drive or perform unsafe tasks. Do not perform such activities right after receiving Normodyne. Taking alcohol can drowsy effects caused by Normodyne.

Things like hot weather, exercise, fever or drinking alcohol can increase the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness caused by Labetalol. Rising up from lying down position can induce a sudden drop in blood pressure that can lead to fainting. Avoid lightheadedness or fainting by rising up slowly and gradually.

If you are receiving Labetalol, check your blood pressure levels and heart rate frequently. If results show too low or too high readings, notify your doctor right away.

If you are taking medicines for treating hypertension such as Labetalol, keep open communication with your doctor and call if you feel things that are not ‘normal’ or experience any untoward symptoms.

If you receive care from another doctor or from a dentist, make sure they know you are taking Labetalol.

Do not miss doses or suddenly stop using Labetalol without your doctor’s permission. Doing so can cause:

• chest pain
• shaking
• sweating
• headache
• irregular heartbeat
• ill feeling

Note that Labetalol may cause severe allergic reaction. Contact with substances that cause allergy increases the risk of severe allergic reaction to Labetalol. Labetalol may also make anti-allergy medications less effective.

The doctor may order blood tests and liver function tests while you are receiving Labetalol. Do not miss these lab appointments.

Labetalol affects your blood sugar levels and may mask symptoms of low blood sugar, which has implications for patients with diabetes. Check blood sugar levels if you are taking Labetalol and have diabetes.

Keep watch for symptoms of low blood sugar levels such as hunger, anxiety, sudden sweating, dizziness, drowsiness or fainting. Do not change the dose of diabetic medicines without asking your doctor first.

Do not get pregnant or do breastfeeding when receiving Labetalol. If you became pregnant or did breastfeeding, call your doctor right away.

Call your doctor if you have these side effects while taking Normodyne:

• Severe allergic reactions such as hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, nose, lips or mouth
• Symptoms of infection such as fever, chills and persistent sore throat and cough
• Symptoms of liver problems such as upper right stomach pain, loss of appetite, passing out dark urine or clay-colored stools, and jaundice
• Mental or mood changes, such as depression
• Muscle pain or tenderness
• Chest pain
• Reduced interest or performance in sex
• Fainting
• Very fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
• Persistent dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the hands or feet
• Unexplained changes in weight
• Muscle pain
• Swelling of the hands or feet
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Wheezing
• Vision changes
• Weakness

 may cause minor side effects such as:

• Dizziness
• Indigestion
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Pain
• Swelling and redness at the injection site
• Stuffy nose
• Tingling sensation of the scalp
• Unusual tiredness