Labetalol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 10, 2024.

Applies to labetalol: intravenous solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral tablet

Serious side effects of labetalol

Along with its needed effects, labetalol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking labetalol:

More common side effects

• dizziness
• tingling of the scalp or skin

Less common side effects

• black, tarry stools
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• confusion
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• fever
• general tiredness and weakness
• headache
• itching skin
• light-colored stools
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• palpitations
• sensation of spinning
• skin rash
• stomach pain
• sweating
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Rare side effects

• chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
• cough
• difficulty swallowing
• hives or welts
• hoarseness
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness of skin
• slow heartbeat
• stomach pain
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• trouble breathing or swallowing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking labetalol:

Symptoms of overdose

• dilated neck veins
• extreme fatigue
• irregular breathing
• loss of bladder control
• muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
• noisy breathing
• seizures
• sudden loss of consciousness
• weight gain

Other side effects of labetalol

Some side effects of labetalol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• stuffy nose

Less common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• change in taste or bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• heartburn
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increased yawning
• indigestion
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• stomach discomfort or upset
• vomiting

For healthcare professionals

Applies to labetalol: compounding powder, intravenous solution, oral tablet.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Edema, postural hypotension
• Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, heart block, heart failure, hypotension, ankle edema, increase of an existing intermittent claudication, postural hypotension, cold or cyanotic extremities, Raynaud's phenomenon, paresthesia of the extremities, syncope^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased sweating
• Frequency not reported: Systemic lupus erythematosus, rashes (e.g., generalized maculopapular, lichenoid, urticarial, bullous lichen planus, psoriaform, facial erythema, Peyronie's disease, reversible alopecia)^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Masking of the normal response to hypoglycemia (sweating and tachycardia); this may be important in some patients with diabetes mellitus^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, dyspepsia, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea
• Frequency not reported: Epigastric pain^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Ejaculation failure, impotence
• Frequency not reported: Difficulty in micturition (including acute urinary bladder retention)^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Transient elevations of liver function tests
• Frequency not reported: Hepatic necrosis, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity (e.g., rash, urticaria, pruritus, angioedema, dyspnea), anaphylactoid reactions^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Antimitochondrial antibodies^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hyperkalemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Muscle cramps, toxic myopathy^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, taste distortion, vertigo, paresthesia, scalp tingling
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Drowsiness
• Frequency not reported: Tremor^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Vision abnormality
• Frequency not reported: Dry eyes
• Postmarketing reports: Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) observed during cataract surgery^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Nasal stuffiness, dyspnea
• Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, interstitial lung disease^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, asthenia
• Frequency not reported: Positive antinuclear factor^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Depressed mood and lethargy, hallucinations, psychoses, confusion, sleep disturbances, nightmares^[Ref]

Further information

Labetalol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer