What Causes Nausea, Diarrhea And Headache While On Labetalol?

Posted on Tue, 19 Apr 2016

Question: I am taking a new hypertension med - Labetalol 200 mg x two per day. I started it yesterday and am sick today. Reaction includes trembling, nausea, diarrhea, headache, and overall shakiness. Suspicious it is the new med. did not take yet today and symptoms seem to be subsiding, except for shakiness/weakness.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully read your question and would explain that your symptoms seem to be related to adverse effects of labetalol.

What are your actual blood pressure values?

From the other hand, to avoid such adverse effects it would be better start with a lower dose 100mg twice daily and increase the dose every 3 days with 100mg, until the dose of 200mg twice daily.

I recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure and heart rate.

If your blood pressure is too low, I would recommend not to take the next dose.

I would advise you to consult with the prescribing doctor as soon as possible in the next days and refer these symptoms. You may need to start with a low dose and increase slowly, as above mentioned.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar