Trandate

What is it?

An antianginal and antihypertensive preparation and cs/β-blocker, available as orange tablets in 4 strengths containing 50, 100, 200 and 400mg of labetolol hydrochloride marked with name and strength. Also, TRANDATE INJECTION, a solution in ampoules containing 5mg of labetalol hydrochloride per ml.

Medical Uses

Tablets, angina, high blood pressure. Injection, severe high blood pressure.

Dosage

Adults, tablets, start with 100mg twice each day taken with food, increasing if required at intervals of 2 weeks to a maximum of 2.4g each day in 3 to 4 divided doses. Elderly start with 50mg twice each day. Injection, consult manufacturer's literature.

Special Care

Pregnancy, breast-feeding, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, metabolic acidosis, poor cerebral blood supply, history of bronchospasm, those undergoing anaesthesia; patients with weak hearts should be treated with digitalis and diuretics. Drug should be stopped gradually.

Avoid Use

Children, patients with asthma, heart diseases including heart block, heart shock, slow heartbeat rate, heart failure.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Cardiac depressants, anaesthetics, reserpine, sedatives, class 11 calcium antagonists, anti- hypertensives, sympathomimetics, cimetidine, indomethacin, ergot- amine, class I antiarrhythmic drugs, verapamil, clonidine withdrawal, hypoglycaemics, rifampicin, warfarin, ibuprofen.

Known Side Effects

Fluid retention, blocked, stuffy nose, dizziness, fatigue, failure to ejaculate, headaches. In rare cases, low blood pressure on rising up; drug should be withdrawn in event of liver reaction.