Pronunciation: kar-VE-dil-ol
Generic Name: Carvedilol
Brand Name: Coreg CR
Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules are used for:
Treating high blood pressure or certain types of heart failure. It may also be used after a heart attack to improve survival in certain patients. It may be used along with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules are a beta-blocker. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, slowing down the heart, and decreasing the amount of blood it pumps out. This decreases blood pressure, helps the heart pump more efficiently, and reduces the workload on the heart.
Do NOT use Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules
- you have certain types of irregular heartbeat (eg, moderate to severe heart block, sick sinus syndrome), very severe heart failure (eg, requires treatment in a hospital), or shock caused by severe heart problems
- you have a very slow heartbeat and you do not have a permanent pacemaker
- you have asthma or other severe breathing problems
- you have severe liver problems
- you are taking mibefradil
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules:
Some medical conditions may interact with Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances or are taking medicine for allergies
- if you have a history of other heart problems (eg, heart failure, slow or irregular heartbeat, angina) or low blood pressure
- if you have a history of liver or kidney problems, blood vessel disease, blood flow problems (eg, in the legs or feet), lung or breathing problems (eg, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), diabetes, low blood sugar, thyroid problems, or glaucoma
- if you have an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
- if you drink alcohol or will be having surgery
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Mibefradil because the risk of serious heart side effects may be increased
- Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, inflammation, aches and pains, high blood pressure, heart problems, irregular heartbeat, cancer, diabetes, depression, mental or mood problems, multiple sclerosis [MS], prostate problems, immune system suppression, allergic reactions, asthma, high cholesterol, seizures, thyroid problems), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules, increasing the risk of side effects
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules:
Use Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules by mouth with food. Take it in the morning unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Swallow Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, you may open it and sprinkle the contents over a spoonful of cool applesauce. Mix the medicine with the applesauce and swallow the mixture right away, followed by a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine before swallowing. Do not store mixture for future use.
- Do not drink alcohol or take medicines that contain alcohol within 2 hours before or after you take Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules.
- Take Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- Continue to use Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules. You may have an increased risk of side effects. If you need to stop Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.
- If you miss a dose of Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules.
Important safety information:
- Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules may cause drowsiness, dizziness, fainting, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. Tell your doctor if these effects occur.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules. Sharp chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur if you suddenly stop Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over several weeks if you need to stop taking it. This should be done even if you only take Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules for high blood pressure. Heart disease is common and you may not know you have it. Limit physical activity while you are lowering your dose. If new or worsened chest pain or other heart problems occur, contact your doctor right away. You may need to start taking Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules again.
- Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- If you have a history of any severe allergic reaction, talk with your doctor. You may be at risk for an even more severe allergic reaction if you come into contact with the substance that caused your allergy. Some medicines used to treat severe allergies may also not work as well while you are using Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules.
- Diabetes patients - Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Diabetes patients - Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules may hide signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Lab tests, including blood pressure and heart function, may be performed while you use Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.
- ELDERLY patients who switch to Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules from the immediate-release tablets may have an increased risk of dizziness or fainting when they start Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules. Use caution until you know how you react to Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules. Tell your doctor if you experience these effects.
- Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules while you are pregnant. It is not known if Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules are found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules.
Possible side effects of Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; dry eyes; fatigue; headache; light-headedness; nausea; vomiting; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; cold or numb legs or feet; fainting; irregular or unusually slow heartbeat; persistent or severe vision changes; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; sudden unusual weight gain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual leg pain; very cold or blue fingers or toes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Carvedilol side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chest pain; fainting; seizures; severe dizziness; slow heartbeat; slow, shallow, or difficult breathing.
Proper storage of Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules:
Store Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Carvedilol Extended-Release Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Carvedilol resources
- Carvedilol Side Effects (in more detail)
- Carvedilol Dosage
- Carvedilol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Carvedilol Drug Interactions
- Carvedilol Support Group
- 36 Reviews for Carvedilol - Add your own review/rating
Compare Carvedilol with other medications
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