Zebeta is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Zebeta is a beta-blocker. It works by interfering with certain body chemicals, which cause the heart to beat with less force and pump out less blood. This allows the heart to beat more slowly and regularly. By blocking these chemicals, blood vessels are relaxed and widened allowing blood pressure to decrease.

Do NOT use Zebeta if:

* you are allergic to any ingredient in Zebeta
* you are presently taking mibefradil or cocaine
* you have a very slow heartbeat, heart block, very low blood pressure, or uncontrolled heart failure
* you are currently taking mibefradil

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Zebeta :

Some medical conditions may interact with Zebeta . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

* if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
* if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
* if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
* if you have or have ever had an adrenal gland tumor; severe allergic reaction; asthma; chronic bronchitis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or other lung disease; congestive heart failure; narrowing of blood vessels of the legs, arms, stomach, or kidneys; or an unusually slow heartbeat; diabetes; kidney problems; or overactive thyroid

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zebeta . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

* Bupivacaine, catecholamine-depleting agents (eg, reserpine, guanethidine), certain antiarrhythmics (eg, disopyramide, flecainide), certain calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem, verapamil, mibefradil), cimetidine, ketanserin, or mefloquine, because potentially life-threatening side effects on the heart may occur, including very slow heart rate, abnormal heartbeat, lightheadedness especially upon standing, difficulty breathing especially when lying down, loss of function in the heart and lungs, swelling of ankles
* Clonidine because excessive increases in blood pressure may occur, especially upon stopping clonidine
* Insulin because it may make the low blood sugar last longer and the symptoms of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat, may be masked by Zebeta

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zebeta may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Zebeta :

Use Zebeta as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

* Take Zebeta by mouth with or without food.
* Taking Zebeta at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
* Continue to take Zebeta even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
* If you miss a dose of Zebeta , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zebeta .

Important safety information:

* Zebeta may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zebeta with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
* Zebeta may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
* Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
* Diabetes patients-Zebeta may hide signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
* Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Zebeta before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
* Do not stop taking Zebeta without talking to your doctor first. If you stop taking Zebeta suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include chest pain, heart attack, and fast or irregular heartbeat.
* Lab tests, including blood pressure measurements, may be performed while you use Zebeta . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
* Use Zebeta with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially mental problems.
* Zebeta should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
* PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Zebeta can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zebeta while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zebeta is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zebeta , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Zebeta :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; fatigue; headache; lightheadedness; nausea; sleeplessness; unusual tiredness; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching, difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; difficulty breathing; lightheadedness or dizziness when rising from a lying or sitting position; very slow heartbeat.