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 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.