Carvedilol

Pronunciation: kar-VE-dil-ol
Generic Name: Carvedilol
Brand Name: Coreg

Carvedilol is used for:

Treating high blood pressure or certain types of heart failure. It may also be used after a heart attack to improve survival in certain patients. It may be used along with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Carvedilol is an alpha- and beta-blocker. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, slowing down the heart, and decreasing the amount of blood it pumps out. This decreases blood pressure, helps the heart pump more efficiently, and reduces the workload on the heart.

Do NOT use Carvedilol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Carvedilol


• you have certain types of irregular heartbeat (eg, moderate to severe heart block, sick sinus syndrome), very severe heart failure (eg, requires treatment in a hospital), or shock caused by severe heart problems


• you have a very slow heartbeat and you do not have a permanent pacemaker


• you have asthma or other severe breathing problems


• you have severe liver problems


• you are taking mibefradil

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

Before using Carvedilol:

Some medical conditions may interact with Carvedilol. 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 or are taking medicine for allergies


• if you have a history of other heart problems (eg, heart failure, slow or irregular heartbeat, angina) or low blood pressure


• if you have a history of liver or kidney problems, blood vessel disease, blood flow problems (eg, in the legs or feet), lung or breathing problems (eg, chronic bronchitis emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), diabetes, low blood sugar, thyroid problems, or glaucoma


• if you have an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)


• if you will be having surgery

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

• Mibefradil because the risk of serious heart side effects may be increased


• Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, inflammation, aches and pains, high blood pressure, heart problems, irregular heartbeat, cancer, diabetes, depression, mental or mood problems, multiple sclerosis [MS], prostate problems, immune system suppression, allergic reactions, asthma, high cholesterol, seizures, thyroid problems), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Carvedilol, increasing the risk of side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Carvedilol 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 Carvedilol:

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

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Carvedilol. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Take Carvedilol by mouth with food.


• Take Carvedilol on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Carvedilol at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.


• Continue to take Carvedilol even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• Do not suddenly stop taking Carvedilol. You may have an increased risk of side effects. If you need to stop Carvedilol or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.


• If you miss a dose of Carvedilol, 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 Carvedilol.

Important safety information:

• Carvedilol may cause dizziness, fainting, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Carvedilol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Carvedilol may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting. These effects may occur within the first hour after you take your dose. They may be more likely when you start taking Carvedilol or if your dose is increased. 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. Tell your doctor if these effects occur.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.


• Do not suddenly stop taking Carvedilol. Sharp chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur if you suddenly stop Carvedilol. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over several weeks if you need to stop taking it. This should be done even if you only take Carvedilol for high blood pressure. Heart disease is common and you may not know you have it. Limit physical activity while you are lowering your dose. If new or worsened chest pain or other heart problems occur, contact your doctor right away. You may need to start taking Carvedilol again.


• 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.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Carvedilol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• If you have a history of any severe allergic reaction, talk with your doctor. You may be at risk for an even more severe allergic reaction if you come into contact with the substance that caused your allergy. Some medicines used to treat severe allergies may also not work as well while you are using Carvedilol.


• Diabetes patients - Carvedilol may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Diabetes patients - Carvedilol 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.


• Lab tests, including blood pressure and heart function, may be performed while you use Carvedilol. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Carvedilol with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.


• Carvedilol should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Carvedilol while you are pregnant. It is not known if Carvedilol is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Carvedilol.

Possible side effects of Carvedilol:

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; dry eyes; fatigue; light-headedness; 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; unusual hoarseness); change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; cold or numb legs or feet; fainting; irregular or unusually slow heartbeat; persistent or severe vision changes; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; sudden, unusual weight gain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual leg pain; very cold or blue fingers or toes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Carvedilol side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chest pain; fainting; seizures; severe dizziness; slow heartbeat; slow, shallow, or difficult breathing.

Proper storage of Carvedilol:

Store Carvedilol below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Carvedilol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Carvedilol, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Carvedilol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Carvedilol. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Carvedilol resources

• Carvedilol Side Effects (in more detail)
• Carvedilol Dosage
• Carvedilol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Carvedilol Drug Interactions
• Carvedilol Support Group
• 36 Reviews for Carvedilol - Add your own review/rating

• Carvedilol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Carvedilol Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Carvedilol Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• carvedilol Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Coreg Consumer Overview


• Coreg Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Coreg CR Prescribing Information (FDA)

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