Labetalol is a medication that doctors prescribe for high blood pressure. If someone with asthma takes it, it can worsen their symptoms. Medical professionals should check a person’s medical history to determine if they can safely take labetalol.

Any individual with a health condition that affects their breathing should be cautious about taking labetalol.
This article will examine why someone with asthma cannot take labetalol and the medication’s possible side effects. It also lists conditions that rule people out of taking this medication. It then looks at other drugs people with asthma should not take and the general management of the condition.
Labetalol is a type of medication known as a beta-blocker. These medications work by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to reduce blood pressure.
Beta-agonists treat symptoms of asthma as well as other lung conditions. These medications relax the muscles that line the airways. However, labetalol
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When doctors prescribe this class of drugs
Those not receiving treatment for asthma symptoms may have less severe reactions to labetalol. This suggests that the severity of asthma symptoms could influence the safety of labetalol for those with the condition.
Cardioselective beta-blockers, such as metoprolol and atenolol, will not affect beta cells in the lungs, so they are generally
Side effects
Labetalol
However, if someone with asthma takes labetalol, they may experience:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- loss of asthma medication effectiveness
People should consult medical attention if they cannot reduce asthma symptoms with their usual line of treatment.
Status asthmaticus
There is a significantly
If a person is in status asthmaticus, the
- hypoxemia, or low levels of oxygen in the blood
- hypercarbia, or excess carbon dioxide in the blood
- respiratory failure
If a person’s breathing does not improve after using an inhaler, they must seek medical attention immediately.
Additionally, a
Doctors avoid prescribing labetalol to a person for several reasons. Healthcare professionals refer to these reasons as contraindications of a medication.
These contraindications include
- Heart conditions: Labetalol can weaken the force of a muscle contraction. For this reason, doctors restrict it for individuals with heart conditions such as heart failure and low heart rate, or bradycardia.
- Low blood pressure, or hypotension: Labetalol
lowers blood pressure, so doctors do not give it to those with low blood pressure as this medication could lead to further complications. - Trouble breathing: People with other breathing conditions than asthma, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
should not take labetalol. This medication can increase symptoms or prevent breathing medications from being effective.
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A person should always follow the instruction of a healthcare professional. They may be able to make changes to a treatment plan to reduce possible side effects.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around
Various treatments for the condition are available, including long-term and quick relief options. They include:
- Bronchodilators: These work within minutes to relax the muscles around the airways.
- Anti-inflammatories: People take these medications alongside an inhaler to reduce swelling and mucus production around the airway.
- Bronchial thermoplasty:This medical procedure is minimally invasive and provides relief for up to 5 years for people with severe asthma.
Learn more about asthma treatments.
Health experts do not fully know what causes asthma. However, there are ways of managing symptoms and preventing their progression, including:
- avoiding triggers such as certain smells or chemical products
- reducing known allergen exposure
- maintaining a nutritious diet
- quitting smoking, if applicable
- regular exercise
There are other medications that doctors do not recommend for people with asthma.
Aspirin or other pain killers
These are a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include ibuprofen and naproxen. People with asthma may experience side effects from taking these medications.
A person should speak with a doctor to discuss possible risks and alternatives.
ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are a group of medications for treating various conditions, such as heart failure and kidney disease.
These medications can trigger asthma symptoms, and doctors often give alternatives to people with asthma.
Propranolol
Doctors use this noncardioselective drug to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Alongside asthma, doctors do not recommend taking this medication if people have:
- slow heartbeats or low blood pressure
- bronchitis
- emphysema
Nadolol
Nadolol is another example of a noncardioselective beta-blocker. Doctors will prescribe it to treat angina and hypertension.
Nadolol prevents bronchodilation, which is the expansion of the airway passages and
Labetalol is a beta–blocker medication for treating various heart conditions and high blood pressure. It can worsen symptoms of asthma in people with the condition. However, more research is necessary to understand the risk of taking this medication.
People with asthma should not take this medication unless there is no alternative. A person should always follow instructions from medical professionals.