Carvedilol Side Effects

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Side Effects of Carvedilol – The Facts:

carvedilol (pronounced KAR ve dil ole)
Brand Names include Coreg and Coreg CR,  Carvil , Dilatrend, Eucardic , and Carloc

What is Carvedilol?

Carvedilol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers, sometimes called non-selective beta blockers or alpha-1 blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Carvedilol is used to treat mild to moderate congestive heart failure and hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used after a heart attack that has caused your heart not to pump as well.

Carvedilol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide, as prescribed by your doctor.

Carvedilol was discovered by Robert R. Ruffolo, Jr. and has had a significant role in the treatment of Congestive heart failure.

Carvedilol side effects – Side effects of Carvedilol

Most common and less serious side effects include the following:

  • drowsiness or dizziness
  • nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
  • having dry or itchy eyes
  • feeling tired, or weak
  • having joint pain
  • having a cough
  • sexual side effects include having decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

These are uncommon side effects that require IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE:

  • hives
  • difficulty breathing
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

If you have these side effects you should immediately call your doctor:

  • having the feeling like you might faint or pass out
  • uneven or slow heartbeats
  • wheezing, tightness in the chest, or trouble breathing
  • feeling short of breath, seemingly without cause
  • rapid weight gain which could be swelling
  • cold feelings in your extremities (hands or feet) or numbness
  • high blood sugar

This is not a complete list of Carvedilol side effects that may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report Carvedilol side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is important information including warnings I should know about Carvedilol?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to carvedilol,  if you have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, severe liver disease, or any serious heart condition such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heart rate (unless you have a pacemaker).

Using this medication could impact your ability to have surgery. Your surgeon needs to know you are taking Carvedilol before hand and you may have to discontinue it’s use for a short period.

As with any medication, do not stop taking carvedilol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you are feeling well. Even if you have no symptoms, you should keep using this medication unless otherwise directed. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the duration of your life.

References:

Stafylas PC, Sarafidis PA (2008). “Carvedilol in hypertension treatment”. Vasc Health Risk Manag 4 (1): 23–30. doi:10.2147/vhrm.2008.04.01.23. PMC 2464772. PMID 18629377.

Vanderhoff BT, Ruppel HM, Amsterdam PB. Carvedilol: The new role of beta blockers in congestive heart failure. Am Fam Physician 1998;58(7):1627-34. PMID 9824960

Carvedilol Official FDA information, side effects and uses. Drugs.com, October 11, 2009.

Maebara C, Ohtani H, Sugahara H, Mine K, Kubo C, Sawada Y (November 2002). “Nightmares and panic disorder associated with carvedilol overdose”. Ann Pharmacother 36 (11): 1736–40.doi:10.1345/aph.1A476. PMID 12398570.

Carvedilol Dosage

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Carvedilol Dosage: Introduction

The factors that affect your prescribed Carvedilol dosage is as follows:

How old you are
The medical condition you’re taking carvedilol for
Other medical conditions you may also have
Other medications you are currently taking
How you initially respond to the carvedilol dosage

As is always the case, never adjust your dose unless your doctor  instructs you to do so.

Carvedilol Dosage for High Blood Pressure

The recommended starting carvedilol dose for people with high blood pressure or hypertension is 6.25 mg, taken twice a day. After a period of a few weeks, depending on how your blood pressure responds and how the carvedilol side effects are treating you, the dosage may be either increased or decreased.

Carvedilol Dosage for Congestive Heart Failure

The recommended starting dosage of carvedilol for the majority of people with congestive heart failure is 3.125 mg, taken twice a day. After a short period, based on the response or carvedilol side effects, the dosage may be increased or decreased until the optimal dose is decided. Most people respond to this drug in unique and individual ways.

Carvedilol Dose Following a Heart Attack

The recommended starting dosage of carvedilol after a heart attack is 6.25 mg, taken twice a day. After a short period, depending on your response and the side effects, the amount may be increased or decreased until the optimal dose is determined. Every individual will respond to carvedilol differently.

Carvedilol Dosage: Other information

Your carvedilol dosage should always be taken by mouth, and with a glass of water.

Carvedilol should also generally be taken with food.

It’s important to make sure to take your carvedilol dosage at the same time each day to maintain an even level in the blood.

If you miss a carvedilol dose, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Do not take a double dose.

You should never stop taking any medication, including carvedilol, without first discussing it with your healthcare provider. Stopping the drug abruptly increases the risk for serious side effects.

If you are unsure about anything related to carvedilol dosing, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Carvedilol (as a beta blocker) in Heart Failure

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Why is Carvedilol (and other beta blockers) used in heart failure?

In the mid 90′s, the thinking of the medical community was that beta blockers were bad for heart failure because they reduce both the heart rate and myocardial contractility.  However, shortly after ACE inhibitors were introduced, it was quickly realized that when in heart failure, one has a major activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which then activates the rennin-angiotensin system, which then activates the sympathetic nervous system again. This cycle leads to extreme salt and water retention and actually makes your heart performance worst. In other words, heart failure brings about more heart failure.  Beta blockers like Carvedilol, and  especially when used with ACE inhibitors, actually limit or all together block this dangerous cycle. There is also research data to come to the conclusion that they have a rhythm stabilizing effect as well.

Currently, there are 4 beta blocker drugs used to treat heart failure:

  • carvedilol
  • metoprolol
  • bisoprolol
  • nebivolol

Metoprolol has fallen out of favor, arguably because of the COMET trials. Carvedilol however is a nonselective beta blocker that also ‘vasodilates peripherally’, which in theory reduces some more common beta blocker side effects. In other words, it is commonly respected that Carvedilol has the least side effects of all beta blocker options for heart failure.

Other benefits of Carvedilol:
  • Safer in diabetics (less lipid side effects)
  • Documented studies showing better outcomes including increased survival, less hospitalizations, and less side-effects than placebo
  • Is a generic, medication so it is cheaper (see the ad above for a link to buy carvedilol up to 47% off)
  • It has been on the market for a number of years and is stable
  • Does not easily accumulate in the body over time
  • Has a very wide dosage range (see the article Carvedilol Dosage)
This is why Carvedilol, as a beta blocker, is used in heart failure, and is better than other beta blockers in many opinions.

Right Heart Failure

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Right Heart Failure or Right-sided heart failure or Right ventricle heart failure is a heart condition that is prevalent among the middle-aged population. This condition happens when the right ventricle loses its pumping function. When this happens, blood may back up causing congestion. This congestion affects the liver, the gastrointestinal track, the limb. Other organs that may be affected are the lungs and the left ventricle.

Some Causes of Right Heart Failure

While there may be other causes of Right Heart Failure, there are two very prevalent causes. One cause may be a left-sided heart failure. This condition immediately affects the right ventricle. Another cause is lung disease. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema, two conditions common among smokers is a leading cause of Right Heart Failure. These lung diseases cause the right ventricle to lose its pumping function.

Some Symptoms of Right Heart Failure

Symptoms are signs that are easily distinguished. Some symptoms of Right Heart Failure are the following; shortness of breath, the swelling of the feet, palpitations, an irregular fast heartbeat, fatigue, weakness and fainting. If you exhibit some of these symptoms, go to your doctor and have a thorough medical check up. You may be a candidate of Right Heart Failure and your condition could get worst if you cannot get proper medical attention.

Some Remedies for Right Heart Failure

There are three very important remedies for Right Heart Failure. First, is a change of lifestyle. Change your eating habits and stop drinking and smoking. Second, go to your doctor for some medication. Third, take some inhibitors, as part of your medication, upon doctors advice of course.

Right Heart Failure can be avoided. If you have the condition and it is discovered early, there is a very big percentage of total recovery. From the list of symptoms that were enumerated, try to look if you exhibit some of the symptoms. Early discovery is early recovery; that is always the case.

Treatment of Heart Failure >> What It Involves

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Heart failure is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Heart failure is a condition that progressively gets worse over time. However, when there is early Treatment of Heart failure, certain cases can be reversed. Even when the heart muscle is impaired, a number of treatment can be done that will relieve the symptoms, stop the symptoms or slow the gradual worsening of the heart condition.

Treatment of Heart Failure Involves Relieving Symptoms

A host of conditions may contribute to heart failure. Your diet, your lifestyle or even your work can contribute to heart failure. Relieving symptoms may require Treatment of Heart Failure that may range from surgery or angioplasty to open clogged blood vessels. It may also involve prescriptions to control high blood pressure, anemia, diabetes or other diseases. Abnormal heart rhythms call arrhythmias also have to be treated.

Treatment of Heart Failure Involves Improving Quality of Life.

Your lifestyle can contribute to heart failure. Treatment of Heart Failure does not only involve medication but a change in your lifestyle as well. What you eat, what you do and how you conduct yourself daily affect the condition of your heart. So eat healthy, live healthy and drink healthy.

Treatment of Heart Failure Involves Slowing Down The Disease Progression.

If you already exhibit signs of heart failure, the Treatment of Heart Failure will now involve slowing down the progression of the disease. This will involve medication. A medication of choice is Carvedilol. Its action involves binding heart receptors so as to slow the heart rhythm and reduce the force of the heart’s pumping, lowering blood pressure and reducing the workload of the heart. This is beneficial in heart failure patients. Carvedilol is proscribed regularly for treatment of heart failure, which is why many wonder about Carvedilol side effects.

Heart failure is not as serious as it may sound. Early detection by having a regular annual medical check will surely help. A healthy lifestyle is also a must. If you want to live longer and avoid heart failure, take good care of your body.

Cardiovascular Conditions: The Many Types

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There are many types of Cardiovascular Conditions. Some are mild and some are serious. Treatment and medication often depends upon the type of Cardiovascular Conditions, coupled by the stage of the condition. Early discover of the condition helps greatly.

Heart Attack. A heart attack happens to a person when an artery in his heart is blocked and this blockage cause the blood to suddenly stop circulating in his heart.

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure. This condition happens when the pressure of your blood in your arteries is higher than the normal. This may cause your heart to break down or some blood vessels to rupture.

Palpitations. This cardiovascular condition happen when your heart beat is not only fast but it is so loud that you can actually feel and hear it. It is a sign that something is wrong with your heart.

Angina. It is a chest pain or a chest discomfort that is caused when there is insufficient oxygen and blood flow to the muscles of the heart.

Atrial Fibrillation . Is a cardiovascular condition also commonly known as “arrhythmias’. This happens when you heart does not beat normally. Your heart beats faster than normal.

Familial Hypercholesterolaemia. This is an inherited cardiovascular condition wherein your body does not remove enough cholesterol from your body. This will cause a high total blood cholesterol level and early onset of coronary heart disease.

Coronary Artery Spasm. This is a temporary discomfort or a temporary pain and this is caused by a spasm in one of your coronary arteries.

Children’s Heart Diseases. Children can have a range of cardiovascular conditions, including heart defects, heart murmurs, heart failure, arrhythmias and endocarditis. Early visits to your doctor will help monitor and treat these diseases.

Cardiovascular conditions abound. However, if they are diagnosed and treated early, the chance of recovery is very high. Children with Cardiovascular Conditions can even grow up into adults who don’t have this condition. Know your heart condition and do something about it.

Beta Blockers and Heart Failure

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Heart failure can be a life threatening cardiovascular condition. If this condition is not promptly treated, it can lead to immediate death. While early detection and discovery is an ideal health scenario, this does not happen always.

What Are Beta Blockers? Beta Blockers are prescription drugs commonly given to address heart failure. They are a common class of prescription drugs that counteract the effects of the stimulation of epinephrine (adrenaline) on what are called as beta receptors. Beta receptors are found in heart as well as the nervous system. When beta receptors are stimulated, what happens is that the heart beats faster, harder and the blood vessels start to constrict. This will result in an elevation of blood pressure. The narrowed blood vessels will cause inadequate oxygen delivery to the heart muscle and will lead to chest pains and other symptoms like angina pectoris.

How Do Beta Blockers Act? Since the target are the Beta Receptors that may enhance the likelihood of a heart failure, Beta Blockers suppress these stimulatory responses. Beta Blockers help the slowing down of the pulse rate and the reduction of blood pressure. By Reducing the workload that the heart is actually doing, Beta Blockers can relieve symptoms chest pains that are signs of an impending Heart Failure.

Why Are They Prescribed and Are They Safe? Beta Blockers are prescribed because they can slow the passage of impulses that travel through the heart. Beta Blockers are also useful for the treatment of other cardiovascular conditions, particularly those involving fast heart rates or premature beats of the heart. Carvedilol is a Beta Blocker and can be very effective to the conditions that are mentioned.

Beta Blockers like Carvedilol are safe. But like many other Beta Blockers in the market, there are side effects depending on the physical condition of the individual. Now that you have a clearer understanding of the relationship of Beta Blockers and Heart Failure, you understand that prevention is still better than the cure.

Carvedilol 6.25 mg

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Carvedilol 6.25 mg is both a Beta Blocker and an Alpha Blocker. It binds the B1 and B2 adrenergic receptors as well as binds the A1 adrenergic receptors on blood vessels. These binding, slows the heart rhythm and lowers blood pressure.

Drug Mechanism of Carvedilol

Carvedilol 6.25 mg is used primarily for treating congestive heart failure and for treating high blood pressure. It blocks the receptors of the adrenergic nervous system; the nerve system in which epinephrine (adrenaline) is most active. This adrenergic system enters the heart and releases a chemical norepinephrine that attaches to the receptors of the heart muscle, and stimulate the muscles to beat forcefully and rapidly. By blocking the receptors on the heart muscles, Carvedilol 6.25 mg reduces the heart rate and force of contraction and reduce the work of the heart. Not only that Carvedilol 6.25 mg also blocks adrenergic receptors on arteries and causes the arteries to relax and blood pressure to drop. This drop in blood pressure reduces the work of the heart in pumping blood. The FDA first approved Carvedilol in 1995.

Drug Dosage and Prescription of Carvedilol

Carvedilol 6.25 is available only by prescription and available in generic. It is available also in tablets of 3.125 mg, 12.5 mg and 25 mg. It can be used by itself or with a diuretic pill to control high blood pressure. When you combine Carvedilol 6.25 with other treatments for heart disease among patients with recent heart attacks, the risk of a second heart attack is reduced by an estimated 40% and increase survival rate among patients with congestive heart failure.

Drug Interactions of Carvedilol

Patients with diabetes and taking Carvedilol 6.25 may need to increase the frequency with which they have to monitor their blood sugar. Carvedilol taken with calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem) or verapamil (Calan) may trigger an irregular heart rhythm or an increase in blood pressure. In these cases, if you are on Carvedilol 6.25 mg, consult your doctor whether medication should be adjusted or discontinued.

Carvedilol 6.25 has a good drug mechanism and is both prescribed in most cardiovascular conditions where high blood pressure occurs, and where the heart is overworked. The next time you get a prescription, ask the doctor about Carvedilol 6.25.