Labetalol - anyone else on this for high BP?

[littlefrenchonion]

Hi,

I've just been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia after my blood pressure started creeping up in the third trimester.

I've been put on labetalol (beta blocker) to control my BP. I unfortunately it doesn't seem to be having the desired effect and I'm being induced on Wednesday at 37+1.

When I first started taking it a week ago the symptoms were horrible - shaky, dizzy, cold, exhausted, tingly all over, nauseous. I was assured they would clear up and they started to improve. Today however, it's like my first dose all over again! I feel awful, and to make matters worse I now have tummy trouble.

Is anyone else on this drug, and how are you finding it?

Hello, I have been on labetalol throughout my pregnancy. I have chronic high blood pressure. I was on 600mg a day until the last couple of weeks when it was increased to 900mg as my bp went up. I haven't really had any side effects from it at all....a bit of pounding/racing heart when I lie in bed and that's about it. Hope your side effects wear off soon...

I've been on it throughout my pregnancy too 23 weeks now, taking 100mg twice a day, its working well, have by bp tested weekly and been in the normal range since taking it. had no side effects either, hope you feel better soon

I was put on it at 36 weeks, c section at 36+6, was on it until earlier this week (baby is nearly 3 weeks old). I had no side effects from it I don't think, I had a blocked nose and sweat a lot at night but they could be caused by a couple of things during my fabulous 2 weeks in hospital so I can't be sure. It's unfortunate that you have so many side effects, as they tend to leave people on labetalol for a few weeks after birth if their bp doesn't stabilise. But - as I was told multiple times in hospital - most women's bp goes down immediately after birth and they don't require ongoing medication...I'm just lucky like that :/

Yes I was on it and felt absolutely shattered. I tried it for a week then asked to switch to methyldopa which I'd had in other pregnancies. It may be worth asking for an alternative if the side-effects are too much.

Thanks everyone. I have a follow up tomorrow morning to take more blood and discuss the induction - I might ask about the methyldopa.

I'm not normally a 'side effects' person but this is making me feel horrific!! I seem to have all the 'rare' side effects listed on the packaging :-( makes me wonder if the baby is feeling it too as she's been really active since I started on it.

I never in a million years thought pregnancy would be this hard!

No experience, but wishing you all the best with the rest of your pregnancy and induction/ labour/ childbirth. Hope you feel better soon.

Best of luck with everything, it's good news you've reached 37 wks and hopefully your BP will settle again quickly after delivery.
I've been on labetalol in this my 3rd preg since 21wks 200mg twice a day and for first few days I was pretty woozy after taking it and had tingly scalp, then that went and am now 32 wks and don't notice anything.
Be a bit wary of methyldopa - read up about it before requesting it. I had this in pregnancies 1&2 and for me personally the side effects were much much worse. I felt woozy all the time, didn't feel safe to drive and I think it affected my mental health and made me feel very down.

Yes methyldopa can definitely affect mood. There isn't long to go OP so the end is in sight. I think labetalol is the preferred drug but there are others in addition to methyldopa. As you're so close to delivery it may be worth putting up with it for now. Hope all goes well