Carvedilol Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Warnings:

Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when you suddenly stop this drug. Some people who have suddenly stopped taking similar drugs have had chest pain, heart attack, and irregular heartbeat. If your doctor decides you should no longer use this drug, he or she may direct you to gradually decrease your dose over 1 to 2 weeks.

When gradually stopping this medication, it is recommended that you temporarily limit physical activity to decrease strain on the heart. Get medical help right away if you develop chest pain/tightness/pressure, chest pain spreading to the jaw/neck/arm, unusual sweating, trouble breathing, or fast/irregular heartbeat.

Uses

Carvedilol is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It is also used after a heart attack to improve the chance of survival if your heart is not pumping well. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.This drug works by blocking the action of certain natural substances in your body, such as epinephrine, on the heart and blood vessels. This effect lowers your heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on your heart. Carvedilol belongs to a class of drugs known as alpha and beta blockers.

How to use Carvedilol

Side Effects

See also Warning and Precautions sections.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, diarrhea, impotence, or tiredness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. The risk of dizziness is highest within 1 hour after you take your dose. Taking this medication with food and starting treatment with a low dose and slowly increasing your dose as directed by your doctor help to reduce the risk of dizziness.

This drug may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to feel cold. Smoking may worsen this effect. Dress warmly and avoid tobacco use.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, unusual weakness, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine), numbness/tingling of the hands/feet, blue fingers/toes, easy bruising/bleeding, mental/mood changes (such as confusion, depression), seizures.

Although this medication may be used to treat heart failure, some people may rarely develop new or worsening symptoms of heart failure, especially at the start of carvedilol treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of these serious side effects: shortness of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking carvedilol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain types of heartbeat/heart rhythm problems (such as slow/irregular heartbeat, sick sinus syndrome, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema), severe heart failure requiring hospitalization, liver disease, kidney disease, blood circulation problems (such as Raynaud's disease, peripheral vascular disease), serious allergic reactions including those needing treatment with epinephrine, overactive thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism), a certain type of tumor (pheochromocytoma), other heart problems (such as Prinzmetal's variant angina), a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis), certain eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause you to faint. This is most likely to occur within 1 hour after taking your dose, especially when you start carvedilol treatment or any time your doctor increases your dose. During these periods, avoid driving and doing hazardous tasks. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

People who wear contact lenses may have dry eyes while taking this medication.

Before having surgery (including cataract/glaucoma eye surgery), tell your doctor or dentist if you are taking or have ever taken this medication, and about all the other products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

If you have diabetes, this product may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness and sweating, are unaffected by this drug. This product may also make it harder to control your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

Children may be at greater risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if they are vomiting or not eating regularly. To help prevent low blood sugar, feed children on a regular schedule. If your child cannot eat regularly, is vomiting, or has symptoms of low blood sugar (such as sweating, seizures), stop this medication and tell the doctor right away.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness and lightheadedness.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details.

It is unknown if carvedilol passes into breast milk. However, it is unlikely to pass into breast milk in large amounts. There is a low risk that it may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

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