Labetalol (Trandate): discontinuation and brand change
Trandate brand labetalol tablets are being discontinued in New Zealand, both the 100 mg and 200 mg strengths are affected.
On this page
22 August 2025 | Alternate brand listed for 200 mg strength
From 1 September 2025, an alternative brand of 200 mg labetalol tablets is listed. It is an unapproved medicine.
Affected products
The supplier of Trandate tablets has decided to discontinue them. The 100 mg tablets have now run out; the 200 mg tablets are still available.
Trandate (labetalol)
| Presentation | Pharmacode | Expected to run out |
|---|---|---|
| Tab 100 mg | 2582155 | out of stock |
| Tab 200 mg | 2582163 | November 2025 |
Schedule listing for labetalol(external link)
The labetalol injections are not affected by this discontinuation.
Alternative 200 mg tablet
Pharmac has sourced a temporary alternative for the 200 mg tablets. It will be listed from 1 September 2025. It is supplied by Viatris. It is not Medsafe registered and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act.
- Brand: Presolol
- Presentation: Tab 200 mg
- Pharmacode: 2565579
- Subsidy: $42.07
- Measure/Qty: per 100
- Wastage applies
This medicine has been approved for use in Australia.
The datasheet is available on NPS Medicinewise (Australian site)(external link)
- 200 mg labetalol brand change | Aug 2025 [PDF 156 KB]
Alternative 100 mg tablet
Pharmac has sourced a temporary alternative for the 100 mg tablets. It was listed from 1 July 2025. It is supplied by Medsurge.
- Brand: Biocon
- Presentation: Tab 100 mg
- Pharmacode: 2708809
- Subsidy: $49.54
- Measure/Qty: per 100
- Wastage applies
This medicine is made in the United States, but it has not yet been submitted to Medsafe for approved use in New Zealand. We have asked the supplier to seek provisional Medsafe registration for this medicine.
- 100 mg Labetalol brand change | May 2025 [PDF 81 KB]
Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine
Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people. The medicine must be prescribed by someone registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand – such as, a doctor.
We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow people to access an appropriate treatment.
We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link)
Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 medicines – Medsafe website (external link)
Medsafe’s section 29 Declaration / Notification Form [DOC](external link)
What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)
Ongoing supply
We are working with a number of suppliers to source an on-going supply of labetalol tablets. We will update this page as progress is made to secure on-going, approved supply of labetalol.
Who to contact
If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, Pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.
Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)