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COREG®
(Co-REG)
(Carvedilol) Tablets

Read the Patient Information that comes with COREG (carvedilol) 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 (carvedilol) , ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What is COREG (carvedilol) ?

COREG (carvedilol) is a prescription medicine that belongs to a group of medicines called “beta-blockers”.

COREG (carvedilol) is used, often with other medicines, for the following conditions:

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

COREG (carvedilol) is not approved for use in children under 18 years of age.

Who should not take COREG (carvedilol) ?

Do not take COREG (carvedilol) if you:

• Have severe heart failure and are hospitalized in the intensive care unit or require certain intravenous medications that help support circulation (inotropic medications)
• Are prone to asthma or other breathing problems
• Have a slow heartbeat or a heart that skips a beat (irregular heartbeat)
• Have liver problems
• Are allergic to any of the ingredients in COREG. The active ingredient is carvedilol. See the end of this leaflet for a list of all the ingredients in COREG (carvedilol) .

What should I tell my doctor before taking COREG (carvedilol) ?

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 (carvedilol) can make some of your symptoms worse.
• Have diabetes
• Have thyroid problems
• Have a condition called pheochromocytoma
• Have had severe allergic reactions
• Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. It is not known if COREG (carvedilol) 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 (carvedilol) passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed while using COREG (carvedilol) .
• Are scheduled for surgery and will be given anesthetic agents
• Are scheduled for cataract surgery and have taken or are currently taking COREG (carvedilol) .
• Are taking prescription or non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. COREG (carvedilol) and certain other medicines can affect each other and cause serious side effects. COREG (carvedilol) may affect the way other medicines work. Also, other medicines may affect how well COREG (carvedilol) works.

Keep a list of all the medicines you take. Show this list to your doctor and pharmacist before you start a new medicine.

How should I take COREG (carvedilol) ?

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

• Take COREG (carvedilol) exactly as prescribed. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take and how often. In order to minimize possible side effects, your doctor might begin with a low dose and then slowly increase the dose.
• Do not stop taking COREG (carvedilol) and do not change the amount of COREG (carvedilol) you take without talking to your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you gain weight or have trouble breathing while taking COREG (carvedilol) .
• Take COREG (carvedilol) with food.
• If you miss a dose of COREG (carvedilol) , 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 (carvedilol) , call your doctor or poison control center right away.

What should I avoid while taking COREG (carvedilol) ?

• COREG (carvedilol) 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 (carvedilol) ?

• Low blood pressure (which may cause dizziness or fainting when you stand up). If these happen, sit or lie down right away and tell your doctor.
• Tiredness. If you feel tired or dizzy you should not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs you to be alert.
• Slow heartbeat.
• Changes in your blood sugar. If you have diabetes, tell your doctor if you have any changes in your blood sugar levels.
• COREG (carvedilol) may hide some of the symptoms of low blood sugar, especially a fast heartbeat.
• COREG (carvedilol) may mask the symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
• Worsening of severe allergic reactions.
• 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 (carvedilol) . These reactions can be life-threatening.

Other side effects of COREG (carvedilol) include shortness of breath, weight gain, diarrhea, and fewer tears or dry eyes that become bothersome if you wear contact lenses.

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

How should I store COREG (carvedilol) ?

• Store COREG (carvedilol) at less than 86°F (30°C). Keep the tablets dry.
• Safely, throw away COREG (carvedilol) that is out of date or no longer needed.
• Keep COREG (carvedilol) and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General Information about COREG (carvedilol)

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions other than those described in patient information leaflets. Do not use COREG (carvedilol) for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give COREG (carvedilol) 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 (carvedilol) . If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about COREG (carvedilol) that is written for healthcare professionals. You can also find out more about COREG (carvedilol) by visiting the website www.COREG (carvedilol) .com or calling 1-888-825-5249. This call is free.

What are the ingredients in COREG?

Active Ingredient: Carvedilol.

Inactive Ingredients: Colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, povidone, sucrose, and titanium dioxide.

Carvedilol tablets come in the following strengths: 3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg.

Last reviewed on RxList: 2/25/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.