Trandate (Labetalol) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 7, 2012

Trandate

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) »

What are calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and how do they work?

Calcium channel blockers are drugs that block the entry of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and arteries.

The entry of calcium is critical for the conduction of the electrical signal that passes from muscle cell to muscle cell of the heart, and signals the cells to contract.
It also is necessary in order for the muscle cells to contract and thereby pump blood.
In the arteries, the entry of calcium into muscle cells causes contraction of the cells and thereby dilates (widens) the arteries.
Thus, by blocking the entry of calcium, calcium channel blockers reduce electrical conduction within the heart, decrease the force of contraction (work) of the muscle cells, and dilate arteries.
Dilation of the arteries reduces blood pressure and thereby the effort the heart must exert to pump blood.
Combined with decr...

Read the Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) article »

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TRANDATE®
(labetalol hydrochloride) Tablets

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Trandate (labetalol) Tablets are adrenergic receptor blocking agents that have both selective alpha1-adrenergic and nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor blocking actions in a single substance.

Labetalol hydrochloride (HCl) is a racemate chemically designated as 2-hydroxy-5-[1-hydroxy-2-[(1methyl-3-phenylpropyl)amino]ethyl]benzamide monohydrochloride, and it has the following structure:

TRANDATE® (labetalol hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

Labetalol HCl has the empirical formula C₁₉H₂₄N₂O₃•HCl and a molecular weight of 364.9. It has two asymmetric centers and therefore exists as a molecular complex of two diastereoisomeric pairs. Dilevalol, the R,R' stereoisomer, makes up 25% of racemic labetalol.

Labetalol HCl is a white or off-white crystalline powder, soluble in water.

Trandate Tablets contain 100, 200, or 300 mg of labetalol HCl and are taken orally. The tablets also contain the inactive ingredients corn starch, FD&C Yellow No. 6 (100- and 300-mg tablets only), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized corn starch, sodium benzoate (200-mg tablet only), talc (100-mg tablet only), and titanium dioxide.

What are the possible side effects of labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

slow or uneven heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
swelling of your ankles or feet;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice...

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What are the precautions when taking labetalol (Trandate)?

Before taking labetalol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain types of heart rhythm problems (such as a slow heartbeat, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), severe heart failure, breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: treated stable heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease,...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 1/3/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.