5 Foods to Avoid When Taking Carvedilol (and Other Beta Blockers)

Carvedilol (Coreg) is in a class of medications called beta blockers. Beta blockers are typically used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions. There are certain foods and drinks that can interact with beta blockers. It doesn’t mean you need to avoid them entirely, but knowing which foods can interact with this medication is important. We’ll discuss what foods and drinks you should minimize (and why) if you’re taking carvedilol. 

How does carvedilol work?

Carvedilol and other beta blockers — like metoprolol and atenolol — bind and block something called beta receptors in your body. These receptors are located all over your body, including your heart. And when adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) binds to these receptors, it increases the speed and force of each heartbeat. So when you take carvedilol or other beta blockers, these receptors cannot be activated. This prevents your heart rate and blood pressure from getting too high.

You also have beta receptors in your blood vessels and airways, affecting how tight or relaxed the vessels and airways can be. 

Most people take carvedilol to help treat high blood pressure. But beta blockers can be used for many different conditions, including:

• Heart failure

• Heart attacks and coronary artery disease

• Heart rhythm problems (called arrhythmias)

• Anxiety

• Tremors

• Migraines

Foods to avoid

If you take beta blockers, it’s important to know that they can interact with a variety of foods and drinks. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Managing side effects: Read about common side effects of carvedilol and when to consult your healthcare professional about them.

• How does carvedilol work? Here’s how beta blockers work — and what sets carvedilol apart from other types of these medications.

• Avoiding medication interactions: Some carvedilol interactions are more common than others, and you might need close monitoring and dosage changes. But some combinations should be avoided altogether.

1. Grapefruit

Research shows that grapefruit interferes with the absorption of several medications, including beta blockers. If you do eat grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking carvedilol, consider monitoring your blood pressure afterwards. Grapefruit may either increase or decrease the absorption of the specific medication. But keeping an eye on your blood pressure will let you know if the beta blocker is getting absorbed and doing its job. 

2. Coffee and caffeine

Coffee and other caffeinated beverages don’t interact directly with beta blockers. But they can counteract the effects of beta blockers in two ways: 

• Since caffeine is a stimulant, it can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. 

• Caffeine can also increase anxiety levels.

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These effects are opposite of what medications like carvedilol are supposed to do. And even though there aren’t studies on the exact interaction, some people believe too much caffeine can counteract the beta blocker. 

If you do decide to drink caffeine, try to limit the amount. And try to drink it at a separate time than when you take your medication. You can also check and record your blood pressure after drinking coffee to get a better sense of how it’s affecting you. 

3. Alcohol

According to the Texas Heart Institute, alcohol can reduce the effects of beta blocker medications. 

But there are a few additional reasons it’s best to lower the amount of alcohol you drink when you’re taking carvedilol or other beta blockers:

• Some beta blockers can cause side effects like dizziness and feeling lightheaded. Drinking alcohol may make these side effects worse. 

• Drinking too much alcohol can have a harmful effect on your heart rate, causing it to beat faster or irregularly. So like caffeine, it can work against the helpful effects of beta blockers.

• Excessive alcohol drinking can also cause high blood pressure over time.  

Healthcare professionals recommend not to drink alcohol — at least when you’re starting to take carvedilol, while your body gets used to these medications. And if you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. The CDC recommends limiting alcohol drinking to two servings a day for men, and one serving for women.

4. Salty foods

Salty foods can increase your blood pressure. Salt can be hidden in foods like pickles, deli meat, and frozen foods. Eating too much salt in combination with a beta blocker can counter the protective effects on your heart. 

The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that everyone (regardless of heart disease) should consume a maximum of 2,300 mg of salt per day. This is equivalent to about one teaspoon of salt.  

5. Potassium-rich foods

Beta-blockers can increase the risk of high potassium levels in the blood. And other medications that you may be taking for your heart — like lisinopril — can also increase your potassium levels. 

High potassium levels, called hyperkalemia, can lead to serious issues like heart arrhythmias. To help avoid this complication, your healthcare professional will likely be checking your lab results, including potassium level, as you start taking any of these medications. 

If your levels are high, it’s best to stay away from foods high in potassium, like bananas and dried fruits. Other examples of foods high in potassium include:

• Avocados

• Lentils

• Squash

• Baked potatoes and sweet potatoes

• Beans

• Mangos

• Tomatoes

• Salmon

• Kiwis

• Oranges

Otherwise, it’s perfectly safe (and even recommended) to eat a diet that includes potassium-rich foods. 

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Written by:

Nicole Andonian, MD

Nicole Andonian, MD, is a private practice anesthesiologist in Orange County, California. Her focus is in general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and acute pain management.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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