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In this Article

• What is carvedilol (Coreg)?
• What are the possible side effects of carvedilol (Coreg)?
• What is the most important information I should know about carvedilol (Coreg)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carvedilol (Coreg)?
• How should I take carvedilol (Coreg)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Coreg)?
• What happens if I overdose (Coreg)?
• What should I avoid while taking carvedilol (Coreg)?
• What other drugs will affect carvedilol (Coreg)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carvedilol (Coreg)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to carvedilol, or if you have:

• asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;
• severe liver disease; or
• a serious heart condition such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heart rate (unless you have a pacemaker).

Before taking carvedilol, tell your doctor if you have:

• diabetes (taking carvedilol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar);
• low blood pressure;
• congestive heart failure;
• depression;
• kidney disease;
• a thyroid disorder;
• myasthenia gravis;
• pheochromocytoma; or
• problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome).

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carvedilol is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether carvedilol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take carvedilol (Coreg)?

Take carvedilol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Take carvedilol at the same time every day. Do not skip doses or stop taking carvedilol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

You may open the carvedilol extended-release capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

If you are switched from carvedilol tablets to carvedilol extended-release capsules (Coreg CR), your daily total dose of this medicine may be higher or lower than before. Older adults may be more likely to become dizzy or feel faint when switching from tablets to extended-release capsules. Follow your doctor's instructions.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using carvedilol. You may need to briefly stop using carvedilol before having surgery.

Carvedilol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store carvedilol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.