Labetalol

Q: Does Labetalol cause impotence in males?

No , Due to its effect of lowering blood pressure, the blood supply to penis may not be adequate and thus it will cause erection problems , This effect is reversible on stopping Labetalol , If you are facing such issues which is causing you discomfort, you can speak to your doctor and he will change the medication

Description

Labetalol is a medicine used to lower high blood pressure and reduce related ch

est pain. It works by blocking certain signals in the heart and blood vessels, helping the blood vessels relax and allowing blood to flow more easily. This lowers the pressure on the heart and helps prevent complications like stroke, heart attack, or kidney problems. Because it acts on both alpha and beta receptors, Labetalol controls blood pressure more effectively than some other medicines. Take it exactly as prescribed, and do not stop it suddenly without your doctor’s advice. If you feel dizziness, tiredness, or an unusually slow heartbeat, inform your doctor so your treatment can be adjusted if needed.

Uses

Contraindications

Side effects

Precautions and Warnings

Uses

High blood pressure (hypertension), including high blood pressure in pregnancy
Chest pain (that increases on exercise or doing any work called ‘angina pectoris’) in patients with high blood pressure

Contraindications

When should one not use Labetalol

Allergy to Labetalol or any of its components
If you have a lower than usual heart rate or missed heartbeats (heart block/ bradycardia) and low blood pressure
Heart failure that is not responding to treatment
Sudden fall in the pumping efficiency of the heart which can be fatal (cardiogenic shock)
If the specialized muscle in the heart that regulates the heartbeat (natural pacemaker of your heart) is not working correctly (sick sinus syndrome)
Poor blood circulation that requires treatment
History of asthma or any lung problems
Do not eat properly/ improper food habits
High acid levels in blood due to kidney problems (metabolic acidosis)
Cancer of the adrenal glands (present above the kidney) causing life-threatening high blood pressure (a condition called phaeochromocytoma)
Chest pain at rest (prinzmetal’s angina)

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Allergic reactions causing swelling of the face, lips, throat causing breathing difficulty with or without skin rashes or itching (angioedema)
Failure of the heart to pump efficiently causing breathing problem, swelling of feet and missed heartbeats
Difficulty in passing urine
Difficulty in maintaining erection of the penis or ejaculation
Feeling dizzy
Fever, chills, headache, weakness (flu-like symptoms)
Tingling sensation in the scalp
Increased blood levels of liver enzymes
Lung problems (coughing or breathing problems, asthma or worsening of symptoms)
Change in behavior, sleep issues, depression, confusion, etc
Very slow heartbeats (rare)
Severe skin reactions with joint pains and fever (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE, an immune system disorder). This side effect is sporadic

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Labetalol during pregnancy?

Though Labetalol is used to treat high blood pressure in pregnancy, it should be dosed carefully and should not be used in later weeks of pregnancy. Higher than usual dosages can harm the unborn baby.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Labetalol while breastfeeding?

Labetalol is secreted in breast milk though it is not known to cause any potential harm. Discuss with your doctor and it is advisable to use it while nursing, only if other alternatives do not exist.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Labetalol?

Labetalol can cause side effects like dizziness or fatigue. Driving for short distances may be permissible but avoid driving if your heart condition is not satisfactory.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Labetalol?

Alcohol also slows the heart rate and lowers the blood pressure like Labetalol and adds to the drowsiness. It is recommended to avoid alcohol while on this medicine.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

Liver or kidney disease
Any conditions that may cause poor blood circulation (obesity, diabetes, tendency to form blood clots, or Raynaud’s disease, a condition which causes severe narrowing of blood vessels)
Red, scaly patches on the skin (psoriasis)
Planning a surgery that requires anaesthesia
Planning an operation and have taken a medicine called Tamsulosin
Prone for allergic reactions
Uncontrolled blood sugars (low or diabetes)

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Labetalol acts on the muscle and the blood vessels that supply the heart, blocking certain substances that transmit signals (alpha and beta) receptors and thus decrease the heart rate and the force of...

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Anti-depressants (Amitryptiline, etc.)
Barbiturates (Phenobarbital etc.)
Other medicines used to lower blood pressure (Hydralazine, Nifedipine)
Other similar medicines (Atenolol, Propranolol, Metaprolol)
Medicines that contain a hormone called adrenaline (a powerful medicine to lower blood pressure)
Medicines used to treat mental illness (Chlorpromazine, etc.)
Painkillers
Medicines used to treat stomach ulcers or heartburn (Cimetidine, etc.)
Antimalarial medicines (Mefloquine, Quinine)
Migraine medications (Ergotamine, etc.)
Medicines used to treat impotence (Alprostadil, Moxisylyte)
Aldesleukin (treats kidney cancer)
Hormone pills (estrogen and progesterone)
Injection medicines used to treat abnormal heart rhythm (Verapamil, Diltiazem, Quinidine, Amiodarone, Disopyramide, Digoxin)
Clonidine (used to treat high blood pressure)
A class of medicines used to treat depression (Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors – Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline)

Interactions with food items

It is recommended to take Labetalol with food.

Dietary Restrictions

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your regular diet.

Dosage

Overdose

Overdose symptoms may include chest pain or discomfort, lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting, slow or irregular heartbeat, sweating, unusual tiredness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if you have t...

Missed a Dose

Take the missed dose as early as you remember it. If you are taking Labetalol twice a day, be careful as not to time the two doses jointly (a minimum 6-8 hours gap is recommended). If you are taking i...

Content Details

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Arpit Verma

MBBS, MD, CCEBDM Diabetology

REVIEWED BY

Dr. Ritu Budania

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is there anything else I need to know about Labetalol?

Do not self-medicate or self-adjust the dose with Labetalol
If you feel any discomfort or do not feel like taking medicine, do not stop on your own
Sudden discontinuation of Labetalol can worsen the symptoms
Inform your doctor and he will decide and reduce the dose gradually, if required

Q: Does Labetalol cause impotence in males?

No
Due to its effect of lowering blood pressure, the blood supply to penis may not be adequate and thus it will cause erection problems
This effect is reversible on stopping Labetalol
If you are facing such issues which is causing you discomfort, you can speak to your doctor and he will change the medication

References

View All

Last Updated on: 20 Nov 2025 | 10:44 PM (IST)

Share This With Your Friends

Disclaimer

The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.