The following information is a summary about Coreg. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
Why is this Coreg medication prescribed?
Coreg/Carvedilol is used in combination with other medications to treat heart failure. Coreg also is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Coreg/Carvedilol is a combination of two classes of drugs called beta-blockers and alpha-blockers. Coreg works by relaxing the blood vessels so your heart does not have to pump as hard.
This Coreg medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or Coreg pharmacist for more Coreg information.
How should this Coreg medicine be used?
Coreg/Carvedilol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Coreg is usually taken twice a day with food. You will start out taking a low dose of Coreg/carvedilol, and your doctor will increase your Coreg dose every 1 to 2 weeks until you are taking a Coreg dose that works well for you. When you start Coreg/carvedilol and whenever your doctor increases your dose you will be closely watched to make sure the Coreg dose is not too high for you. Follow the Coreg directions on your Coreg prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or Coreg pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Coreg/carvedilol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of Coreg or take Coreg more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Coreg/Carvedilol controls high blood pressure and heart failure but does not cure them. Your blood pressure should lower within 30 minutes and your symptoms of heart failure should begin to improve within the first hour of beginning Coreg/carvedilol. Continue taking Coreg/carvedilol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Coreg/carvedilol without talking to your doctor. Abruptly stopping Coreg/carvedilol can worsen your symptoms. Your doctor will probably want to decrease your Coreg dose gradually over 1 to 2 weeks.
What special Coreg precautions should I follow?
Before taking Coreg/carvedilol,
tell your doctor and Coreg pharmacist if you have a history of allergic reactions to any substance (for example, food products or bee stings) or are allergic to Coreg/carvedilol or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and Coreg pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially cimetidine (Tagamet), clonidine (Catapres), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem C, Dilacor XR), fluoxetine (Prozac), insulin, oral medications for diabetes, paroxetine (Paxil), phenelzine (Nardil), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quinaglute, Dura-Tabs, others), reserpine (Serpalan, Serpasil), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater, Rimactane), tranylcypromine (Parnate), verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Verelan), and vitamins and herbal products.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or another lung disease; blood vessel disease; heart, kidney, or liver disease; diabetes; pheochromocytoma; or an overactive thyroid gland.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Coreg/carvedilol, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Coreg/carvedilol.
you should know that this Coreg drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this Coreg drug affects you.
you should know that this Coreg drug may make you dizzy and lightheaded when you are standing. You should sit or lie down when these symptoms occur and then stand up slowly.
Coreg Side Effects
Some side effects from Coreg/carvedilol can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these Coreg symptoms are severe or do not go away:
tiredness
lightheadedness
dizziness
body or leg swelling
headache
diarrhea
vision changes
joint pain
difficulty falling or staying asleep
If you experience any of the following Coreg symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
fainting
difficulty breathing
weight gain
chest pain
slow, irregular heartbeat
abdominal pain
dark urine
yellowing of the skin or eyes
loss of consciousness
vomiting
loss of appetite
seizures
changes in blood sugar level
frequent urination
thirst
dry mouth
flushing
dry skin
sore throat, fever, cough, or other signs of infection
What should I do if I forget a Coreg dose?
Take the missed Coreg dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next Coreg dose, skip the missed Coreg dose and continue your regular Coreg dosing schedule. Do not take a double Coreg dose to make up for a missed one.
Other uses for this Coreg medicine
This Coreg medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more Coreg information.
In case of Coreg emergency/overdose
In case of Coreg overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
What storage conditions are needed for Coreg?
Keep Coreg in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store Coreg at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any Coreg medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your Coreg medication.
What other Coreg information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during treatment to check your response to Coreg.
Do not let anyone else take your Coreg medication. Ask your Coreg pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your Coreg prescription.
