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M. Pollock on September 27, 2022Labetalol 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. Share on PinterestMirageC/Getty ImagesAny 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. Why do doctors not prescribe labetalol for people with asthma 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 works against the action of beta-agonists by preventing the muscles from relaxing. A study in 2021 demonstrated an increase in the severity of symptoms in people with a history of asthma when they took this medication. For this reason, healthcare professionals do not usually diagnose labetalol for individuals with asthma or having trouble breathing. 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 safe to use in people with asthma. However, a person should speak with a doctor to determine which drug is best for their treatment plan. Side effects Labetalol may cause an asthma attack in a person with the condition. However, if someone with asthma takes labetalol, they may experience:shortness of breathwheezingloss 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 higher risk of people with asthma experiencing an asthma attack and status asthmaticus, a severe and life threatening asthma state, after taking labetalol. If a person is in status asthmaticus, the following symptoms may be present:hypoxemia, or low levels of oxygen in the bloodhypercarbia, or excess carbon dioxide in the bloodrespiratory failure If a person’s breathing does not improve after using an inhaler, they must seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, a study in 2018 found that pregnant people hospitalized during delivery had around a 5% increased risk of experiencing status asthmaticus when taking labetalol compared with those taking alternative medications. Other contraindications for the medication Doctors avoid prescribing labetalol to a person for several reasons. Healthcare professionals refer to these reasons as contraindications of a medication. These contraindications include certain health conditions such as: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. A 2022 study of 540 pregnancies found that twice as many babies born to people who had exposure to beta-blocker medications were small for their gestational age compared with those without exposure. More research is necessary to determine this effect across other samples. 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. General asthma management According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 25 million Americans have asthma. 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 productsreducing known allergen exposuremaintaining a nutritious dietquitting smoking, if applicableregular exercise Other drugs not recommended for people with asthma 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 pressurebronchitisemphysema 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 increases airway resistance. This drug exacerbates the effect in people with asthma and results in wheezing and shortness of breath. Summary 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. Last medically reviewed on September 27, 2022Asthma 18 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Abdullah, A., et al. (2019). Labetalol: A brief current review.https://pharmacophorejournal.com/storage/models/article/YlQ5ltVdIZNLWtU3td1tvJnVUzSuocwax4GkY1dlDPEbhVKX3p2uRvZkG9hR/labetalol-a-brief-current-review.pdfAbosamak, N. R., et al. (2022). Beta 2 receptor agonists/antagonists.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559069/Beta2-agonists defined. (n.d.).https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Allergy,-Asthma-Immunology-Glossary/Beta2-agonists-DefinedBooker, W. A., et al. (2018). Use of medications and uterotonics during delivery hospitalizations in women with asthma.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6019174/Bronchial thermoplasty defined. (n.d.).https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Allergy,-Asthma-Immunology-Glossary/Bronchial-Thermoplasty-DefinedChakraborty, R. K., et al. (2022). Status asthmatics.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526070/Farzam, K., et al. (2022). Beta blockers.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532906/Gopal, S., et al. (2022). Nadolol.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545189/Huang, K. Y., et al. (2021). Do beta-adrenergic blocking agents increase asthma exacerbation? A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-79837-3Huang, Y. L., et al. (2017). 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Regulation of magnesium sulfate combined with nifedipine and labetalol on disease-related molecules in serum and placenta in the treatment of preeclampsia.https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/5062-5070.pdfFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Philip Ngo, PharmD — By D. M. Pollock on September 27, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the treatments for asthma?Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI Asthma is a chronic lung condition that leads to episodes when a person’s airways become obstructed, and they experience severe breathlessness. 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