Coreg (Carvedilol)

General information

Coreg is an alpha and beta blocker used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It is also used after a heart attack to improve the chance of survival. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This drug works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in your body (such as epinephrine) that affect the heart and blood vessels. This effect lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart.

Directions

Take Coreg exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth with food, usually twice daily. The recommended starting dose for treatment of congestive heart failure is 3.125 mg, twice a day. The recommended starting dose following a heart attack is 6.25 mg, twice a day. You should not stop Coreg without first discussing it with your doctor. Stopping the drug abruptly increases the risk for serious side effects.

Precautions

Before taking Coreg you should talk with your doctor if you have allergic reaction to beta blockers, asthma, sinus bradycardia, severe heart failure, breathing problems (bronchitis, emphysema), diabetes, blood circulation problems, kidney disease, pheochromocytoma, myasthenia. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness.

Contraindications

Do not use Coreg if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have allergy to any components of the drug.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have slow or uneven heartbeats, numbness, hives, chest pain, swelling of your face, lips, pale skin, high blood sugar, blurred vision, increased urination, dry mouth, wheezing. Less serious Coreg side effects may include: cough, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, decreased sex drive, impotence. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: narcotics (propoxyphene, methadone), heart rhythm medication (quinidine, digoxin, flecainide), MAO inhibitors (selegiline, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, isocarboxazid), HIV or AIDS medicine (ritonavir, delavirdine), heart or blood pressure medicine (clonidine, nifedipine, verapamil), fluconazole, rifampin, insulin, cimetidine, cyclosporine, antidepressants (duloxetine, paroxetine, amitriptyline, fluoxetine), medicine to treat nausea and vomiting (metoclopramide, promethazine). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are fainting, dizziness, shortness of breath, seizure, uneven heartbeats, weakness.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Store it in a tight container.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.