Carvedilol


DNX0820.HTM

Carvedilol (By mouth)
Carvedilol (KAR-ve-dil-ole)

Treats high blood pressure and congestive heart failure (CHF). Reduces the risk of death from a heart attack. This medicine is a beta-blocker.

Brand Name(s):Coreg, Coreg CR
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to carvedilol. Do not use this medicine if you have asthma, liver disease, or certain heart problems. Talk with your doctor about what these heart problems are.

How to Use This Medicine:
Tablet, Long Acting Capsule

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • It is best to take this medicine with food or milk. If you are using the extended-release capsule, take it in the morning.
  • Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. If you cannot swallow the extended-release capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a tablespoon of applesauce. Swallow this mixture right away and then drink some water.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any other heart medicine such as clonidine (Catapres®), diltiazem (Cardizem®), propafenone (Rythmol®), quinidine, or verapamil (Calan®). Tell your doctor if you are using cyclosporine (Neoral®), digoxin (Lanoxin®, Digitek®), fluoxetine (Prozac®), paroxetine (Paxil®), reserpine (Serpalan®), rifampin (Rifadin®), or stomach medicine such as cimetidine (Tagamet®).
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®. Tell your doctor if you are using a diabetes medicine such as glyburide, insulin, metformin, Actos®, Glucophage®, Glucotrol®, or Glucovance®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have circulation problems, liver disease, kidney disease, overactive thyroid, diabetes, lung problems (such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis), tumor in the adrenal gland, or if you are having frequent chest pains.
  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
  • If you stop using this medicine, your blood pressure may go up. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor.
  • This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar, or it may cover up symptoms of very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you have diabetes, report any changes in your blood sugar to your doctor.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up from a lying or sitting position, so stand up slowly.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate.
  • Chest pain (may be related to your disease and not a side effect).
  • Confusion, weakness, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips.
  • Fainting or severe dizziness.
  • Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
  • Sudden weight gain.
  • Swelling of your feet or ankles.
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising.
  • Wheezing or trouble breathing.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Diarrhea.
  • Dry eyes.
  • Trouble having sex.
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.