Carvedilol: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

What is carvedilol used for?

Carvedilol is commonly used for the following conditions.

To lower high blood pressure (hypertension)
To lower the risk of death and hospitalization for heart failure in people with heart failure
To lower the risk of death in people whose heart is not pumping blood as well as it should after a heart attack

Carvedilol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does carvedilol work (mechanism of action)?

Carvedilol blocks beta-1 receptors in your heart and alpha-1 receptors in your blood vessels. These receptors normally bind to hormones called catecholamines. When catecholamines bind to these receptors, it causes your heart to beat harder and faster and your blood vessels to tighten. Blocking these receptors helps your heart beat more slowly and your blood vessels relax. These effects can help your heart work better, lower blood pressure, and may reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke.

How is carvedilol supplied (dosage forms)?

Carvedilol is available as Coreg, Coreg CR, and generic carvedilol in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

3.125 mg oral tablets
6.25 mg oral tablets
12.5 mg oral tablets
25 mg oral tablets
10 mg oral extended-release capsules
20 mg oral extended-release capsules
40 mg oral extended-release capsules
80 mg oral extended-release capsules

How should I store carvedilol?

Tablets. Carvedilol tablets should be stored at temperatures below 86 F (30 C). Store in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container. Protect from light and moisture.

Extended-release capsules. Carvedilol extended-release capsules should be stored at 77 F (25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container. Protect from light.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of carvedilol?

The most common side effects of carvedilol are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

Dizziness
Feeling unusually weak or tired
High blood sugar
Diarrhea
High blood sugar
Slow heartbeat
Weight gain

There may be other side effects of carvedilol that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of carvedilol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of carvedilol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Heart Rate Changes. Carvedilol can make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bradycardia.

Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
Confusion
Feeling weak or easily tired
Chest pain
Shortness of breath

Decreased Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Carvedilol may cause low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
Confusion
Feeling weak or tired

New or Worsening Heart Failure. Carvedilol may worsen existing heart failure or cause fluid buildup in your body. For individuals with underlying heart disease or heart damage, carvedilol can potentially lead to heart failure over time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
Unusually fast weight gain
Unusual tiredness

Peripheral Vascular Disease. Carvedilol can cause the heart to pump less blood to the rest of the body. This can make blood flow problems to the arms, legs and intestines worse.

Breathing Problems. Carvedilol may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm) instead of relaxing, which can be serious. Stop using carvedilol and contact your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble breathing.

Increased Blood Sugar. Carvedilol may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking carvedilol. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

Reduced need to pee
Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
Weakness or unusual tiredness
Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
Confusion
Nausea
Seizures

Severe Allergic Reactions. Carvedilol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using carvedilol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Breathing problems or wheezing
Racing heart
Fever or general ill feeling
Swollen lymph nodes
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
Stomach cramps
Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use carvedilol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use carvedilol.

Coreg
Coreg CR
Carvedilol
Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific carvedilol products they stock.

Asthma. Carvedilol should not be used by those with asthma or similar breathing problems.

Bradycardia. Carvedilol should not be used if your heart is beating too slow (bradycardia).

Heart Block. Carvedilol should not be used if the electrical signals in your heart move too slow (heart block).

Severe or Worsening Heart Failure. Carvedilol should not be used if your heart failure is severe or getting worse, causing you to feel very tired, have trouble breathing, or swelling in your legs.

Cardiogenic Shock. Carvedilol should not be used if you have a life-threatening condition called cardiogenic shock where your heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body.

Liver Problems. Carvedilol should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

What should I know about carvedilol before using it?

Do not take carvedilol unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take as prescribed.

This medicine should be taken with food.

Do not share carvedilol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep carvedilol out of the reach of children.

Carvedilol can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how carvedilol affects you.

Stopping carvedilol suddenly may lead to chest pain, heart attack or dangerous heart rhythms in people with heart disease. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your healthcare provider first.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using carvedilol?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if carvedilol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Heart or circulation problems
Breathing problems
Kidney problems
Liver problems
Thyroid problems
Pheochromocytoma
Eye problems

Diabetes. Carvedilol can decrease early signs of low blood sugar, such as fast heartbeat, and make it more likely for the low blood sugar to be serious, especially for people with diabetes.

Cataract Surgery. Carvedilol may cause a condition called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery, which can make the surgery more difficult. Tell your eye doctor about all the medications you take, including carvedilol, before your cataract surgery.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how carvedilol could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if carvedilol passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does carvedilol interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between carvedilol and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect carvedilol. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking carvedilol.

Does carvedilol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking carvedilol.

Diltiazem and verapamil, which are medicines used to treat chest pain and high blood pressure
Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine to suppress your immune system
Clonidine, which is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
Any medicine for irregular heart rate or rhythm
Any medicine for high blood pressure
Any medicine for diabetes

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of carvedilol. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

Does Carvedilol interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much carvedilol?

If you or someone else has used too much carvedilol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of carvedilol?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.