Trandate
Labetalol
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Trandate
Trandate is used for treatment of high blood pressure or hypertension. Trandate is a beta blocker medicine. Trandate reduces the work of the heart and reduce the output of the heart which causes reduction in blood pressure. It also reduces the heart rate or pulse rate. The FDA first approved Trandate in 1997.
Therapeutic Uses of Trandate
Trandate is used for treatment of very high blood pressure (hypertension) which (reducing high blood pressure) helps to prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.
Direction of use of Trandate
Take Trandate with food or it can be taken with milk. Follow the direction your doctor gives regarding the direction of use and dosing schedule.
If You Miss a Dose of Trandate
If you miss a dose of Trandate, while taking it regularly, you should consult your doctor to re-establish dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses for missing one dose.
How to Store Trandate
Trandate should be stored at room temperature between 36 and 86 degrees F (2 to 30 degrees C). Do not freeze for storing. Store it away from light, heat and moisture. After dilution in the correct IV fluids, this medicine is stable for 24 hours refrigerated or at room temperature. Discard any unused liquid.
More Information About Trandate
Laboratory and/or medical tests like liver function test may be performed to monitor your progress as well as side effects. If you do not get any improvement in symptoms you should consult your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Trandate
- You should inform your doctor about your medical history, especially of if you had any liver problem, heart problems (like mild or moderate congestive heart failure), pheochromocytoma, and diabetes, any allergy to any medicine or any substance.
- Trandate is not recommended for use if you have the following medical conditions: lung disease like asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), certain heart problems like advanced heart block, severe bradycardia (low pulse rate), severe heart failure, post-CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting) surgery etc.
- Trandate may cause dizziness for up to 3 hours after it is taken, so you should remain lying down for 3 hours after taking it, in order to prevent falls. You should get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. Another person should assist you if needed. You should not perform or use caution when performing activities that require alertness (constant monitoring and attention) such as driving or operating heavy machinery. Limit intake of alcoholic beverages, while you are on Trandate.
- Consult your doctor or other health care provider if you have a history of severe allergic reaction to any substance.
- If you are diabetic, this medication may block symptoms of low blood sugar like tremor, palpitation, sweating etc.
- You should be extremely cautious while giving Trandate in the elderly patient, because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug.
- Use Trandate only when clearly indicated during pregnancy. You should discuss the risks and benefits of using this medication during pregnancy, with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk. You should not breast feed while on this medication and consult your doctor if you want to breast feed.
- Increased sweating is a symptom that is not affected by Trandate. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Possible Adverse Effects of Trandate
- Fatigues, nausea, tingling of the scalp or skin are some of the minor side effects of Trandate. If any of these mild side effects become persistent or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
- Inform your doctor immediately if you experience potentially serious side effect like dizziness.
- Inform your doctor immediately if unlikely but serious side effects like fainting, severe leg pain, increased sweating, increased urination, unusual thirst etc. occur.
- Consult your doctor immediately if any of the highly unlikely but very serious side effects like unusually slow or irregular heartbeat, persistent loss of appetite, severe stomach pain, persistent sore throat or fever (symptoms of infection), easy bleeding or bruising, vision changes, difficulty urinating, mental or mood changes occur.
- Rare, but possibly fatal, liver problems may occur during the use of Trandate.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you develop side effects like dark urine, yellowing of eyes or skin (jaundice).
- Allergic reactions to Trandate are unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are skin rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing etc.
- If you experience any other side effects of Trandate not listed above, inform your doctor or other health care provider.