carvedilol

Don’t stop taking carvedilol (Coreg) suddenly as this can raise your risk of chest pain or heart attack. Some common symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain and tightness, pain that spreads to arms and neck, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and fatigue. If you need to stop taking carvedilol (Coreg) for any reason, let your healthcare provider know. They can work with you to lower your dose safely over time (which typically occurs over 1-2 weeks).

You might notice a slowing of your heart rate when you take carvedilol (Coreg). This could sometimes cause you to feel dizzy when you first take the medication. Carvedilol (Coreg) will lower your blood pressure, which can also cause you to feel dizzy until your body adjusts. Be careful when getting up from either lying down or sitting to avoid falls. Let your provider know if your heart rate goes below 55 beats per minute as they might consider changing your dose.

People with heart failure shouldn't take carvedilol (Coreg) if their heart failure symptoms aren’t well-managed. That’s because this medication can make your condition worse. But you might be able to take carvedilol (Coreg) if your healthcare provider thinks your symptoms are under control. Keep in mind that, though rare, sometimes taking a beta-blocker, like carvedilol (Coreg) over time might lead to heart failure even in people without this condition. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience symptoms of heart failure, such as fluid build-up in different areas of the body including the ankles, legs, and lungs, and difficulty breathing.

Taking carvedilol (Coreg) can make it difficult for you to identify symptoms of low blood sugar, such as fast heart beat or tremors. If you’re taking medications, like glipizide or insulin, to lower your blood sugar, you might not be able to rely on all the typical symptoms of low blood sugar (e.g., irritability, sight tremors, confusion, and fast heartbeat) to warn you of a dangerous drop in your sugar levels. Sweating might be the only symptom not affected by taking carvedilol (Coreg). Speak with your healthcare provider about when and how to monitor your blood sugar if you start carvedilol (Coreg).

Carvedilol (Coreg) can cause the vessels in your lung to tighten. This can make breathing difficult, especially in people with breathing problems, like asthma or COPD. Carvedilol (Coreg) might also cause certain medications taken to ease these conditions to not work as well. Let your doctor know if you have any breathing problems before starting carvedilol (Coreg).

Carvedilol (Coreg) can hide signs of hyperthyroidism, especially a fast heart rate. It's important to talk to your provider before stopping carvedilol (Coreg) suddenly, since doing so can worsen thyroid problems.

Though extremely rare, some people who took carvedilol (Coreg) for heart failure experienced kidney problems. This is more likely for people with low blood pressure and blood flow problems. If you have any of those conditions, your provider might need to do lab work regularly to check your kidney health, especially after they raise your dose of carvedilol (Coreg).

Beta blockers like carvedilol (Coreg) can lessen your response to life-saving treatments of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). They can also cause your allergic reaction to be more severe than usual. Discuss all of your allergies with your provider and a plan on what to do if you experience an allergic reaction while taking carvedilol (Coreg).

Both beta-blockers and medications used for anesthesia can lower your heart rate. So, if you’re planning to undergo a major surgery that requires anesthesia, tell your surgeon that you’re on carvedilol (Coreg) so that they can monitor your heart closely.