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COREG CR®
(Co-REG)
(carvedilol phosphate) Extended-release Capsules

Read the Patient Information that comes with COREG CR before you start taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment. If you have any questions about COREG CR, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the most important information I should know about COREG CR?

It is important for you to take your medicine every day as directed by your doctor. If you stop taking COREG CR suddenly, you could have chest pain and a heart attack. If your doctor decides that you should stop taking COREG CR, your doctor may slowly lower your dose over time before stopping it completely.

What is COREG CR?

COREG CR is a prescription medicine that belongs to a group of medicines called “beta blockers”. COREG CR is used, often with other medicines, for the following conditions:

• to treat patients with certain types of heart failure
• to treat patients who had a heart attack that worsened how well the heart pumps
• to treat patients with high blood pressure (hypertension)

COREG CR is not approved for use in children under 18 years of age.

Who should not take COREG CR?

Do not take COREG CR if you:

• have severe heart failure and require certain intravenous medicines that help support circulation.
• have asthma or other breathing problems.
• have a slow heartbeat or certain conditions that cause your heart to skip a beat (irregular heartbeat).
• have liver problems.
• are allergic to any of the ingredients in COREG CR. See “What are the ingredients in COREG CR?”

What should I tell my doctor before taking COREG CR?

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have asthma or other lung problems (such as bronchitis or emphysema).
• have problems with blood flow in your feet and legs (peripheral vascular disease). COREG CR can make some of your symptoms worse.
• have diabetes.
• have thyroid problems.
• have a condition called pheochromocytoma.
• have had severe allergic reactions.
• are scheduled for surgery and will be given anesthetic agents.
• are scheduled for cataract surgery and have taken or are currently taking COREG CR.
• are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. It is not known if COREG CR is safe for your unborn baby. You and your doctor should talk about the best way to control your high blood pressure during pregnancy.
• are breastfeeding. It is not known if COREG CR passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed while using COREG CR.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and non prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. COREG CR and certain other medicines can affect each other and cause serious side effects. COREG CR may affect the way other medicines work. Also, other medicines may affect how well COREG CR works.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist before you start a new medicine.

How should I take COREG CR?

• Take COREG CR exactly as prescribed. Take COREG CR one time each day with food. It is important that you take COREG CR only one time each day. To lessen possible side effects, your doctor might begin with a low dose and then slowly increase the dose.
• Swallow COREG CR capsules whole. Do not chew or crush COREG CR capsules.
• If you have trouble swallowing COREG CR whole:
  • The capsule may be carefully opened and the beads sprinkled over a spoonful of applesauce which should be eaten right away. The applesauce should not be warm.
  • Do not sprinkle beads on foods other than applesauce.
• Do not stop taking COREG CR and do not change the amount of COREG CR you take without talking to your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of COREG CR, take your dose as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take your next dose. Take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
• If you take too much COREG CR, call your doctor or poison control center right away.

What should I avoid while taking COREG CR?

COREG CR can cause you to feel dizzy, tired, or faint. Do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything that needs you to be alert if you have these symptoms.

What are possible side effects of COREG CR?

Serious side effects of COREG CR include:

• chest pain and heart attack if you suddenly stop taking COREG CR. See “What is the most important information I should know about COREG CR?”
• slow heart beat.
• low blood pressure (which may cause dizziness or fainting when you stand up). If these happen, sit or lie down, and tell your doctor right away.
• worsening heart failure. Tell your doctor right away if you have signs and symptoms that your heart failure may be worse, such as weight gain or increased shortness of breath.
• changes in your blood sugar. If you have diabetes, tell your doctor if you have any changes in your blood sugar levels.
• masking (hiding) the symptoms of low blood sugar, especially a fast heartbeat.
• new or worsening symptoms of peripheral vascular disease.
  • leg pain that happens when you walk, but goes away when you rest
  • no feeling (numbness) in your legs or feet while you are resting
  • cold legs or feet
• masking the symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), such as a fast heartbeat.
• worsening of severe allergic reactions. Medicines to treat a severe allergic reaction may not work as well while you are taking COREG CR.
• rare but serious allergic reactions (including hives or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing) have happened in patients who were on COREG or COREG CR. These reactions can be life-threatening. In some cases, these reactions happened in patients who had been on COREG before taking COREG CR.

Common side effects of COREG CR include shortness of breath, weight gain, diarrhea, and tiredness. If you wear contact lenses, you may have fewer tears or dry eyes that can become bothersome.

Call your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or don't go away.

How should I store COREG CR?

Store COREG CR at less than 86°F (30°C).

Safely throw away COREG CR that is out of date or no longer needed.

Keep COREG CR and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about COREG CR

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions other than those described in patient information leaflets. Do not use COREG CR for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give COREG CR to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This leaflet summarizes the most important information about COREG CR. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about COREG CR that is written for healthcare professionals. You can also find out more about COREG CR by visiting the website www.COREGCR.com or calling 1-888-825-5249. This call is free.

What are the ingredients in COREG CR?

Active ingredient: carvedilol phosphate

Inactive ingredients: crospovidone, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymers, microcrystalline cellulose, and povidone COREG CR capsules come in the following strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg.

What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?

Blood pressure is the force of blood in your blood vessels when your heart beats and when your heart rests. You have high blood pressure when the force is too much. High blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood through the body and causes damage to blood vessels. COREG CR can help your blood vessels relax so your blood pressure is lower. Medicines that lower blood pressure may lower your chance of having a stroke or heart attack.

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/19/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.