Coreg Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Coreg (carvedilol) is a beta blocker that’s FDA approved to treat heart failure and high blood pressure. It’s also used to lower the risk of death after a heart attack in some people.

If you’re prescribed Coreg, the goal is to help your heart work more efficiently. So it's important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on how to take it. In this guide, we’ll cover some common Coreg dosages. But keep in mind that your provider may recommend something different than what’s discussed below.

What’s the typical Coreg dosage for adults?

The typical Coreg dosage depends on why you’re taking it. Coreg is FDA approved to treat heart failure and high blood pressure (hypertension), and to reduce the risk of death after a heart attack.

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Your dosage will also depend on the form of Coreg you’re prescribed. Coreg is available as an immediate-release (IR) tablet and an extended-release (ER) capsule. Both forms should be taken with food. The IR tablets come in the following doses:

• 3.125 mg

• 6.25 mg

• 12.5 mg

• 25 mg

The ER capsules are available in multiple doses, ranging from 10 mg to 80 mg. They should be swallowed whole. If you can’t swallow the capsules, you can open them and sprinkle the contents over a spoonful of applesauce. The applesauce shouldn’t be warm.

No matter the dosage or form, you may feel dizzy just after starting Coreg. It’s a good idea to be watchful for dizziness so you can take precautions. If you experience dizziness, the good news is that this common side effect usually gets better as your body adjusts.

Good to know: Here, we’ll only cover Coreg dosages for FDA-approved uses. But Coreg is sometimes used for other reasons. This is called “off-label” use. Examples include abnormal heartbeat (like atrial fibrillation) and chest pain (angina). So if your healthcare provider prescribes Coreg for a reason other than what’s discussed here, make sure you understand your dosage instructions. 

Heart failure

The Coreg dosage for heart failure usually starts at 3.125 mg twice daily. 

The goal is to decrease how hard your heart has to work to keep your body functioning normally. This includes decreasing your blood pressure and heart rate (how quickly your heart beats). If your blood pressure and heart rate are still high after 2 weeks of taking Coreg, your healthcare provider may double your dose to 6.25 mg twice daily. 

Your dose may be doubled every 2 weeks until you reach a dose of 25 mg twice daily. This is usually the maximum recommended Coreg dosage. Some people weighing over 85 kg (187 lbs) may need a maximum dosage of 50 mg twice daily.

If you’ve been prescribed Coreg ER, the usual starting dosage is 10 mg once daily. Your provider may double your dose to 20 mg once daily after 2 weeks. Your dose may be doubled again every 2 weeks as tolerated. The maximum dose is 80 mg once daily.

Good to know: Even though Coreg is a first-choice beta blocker for heart failure, some heart failure symptoms may temporarily worsen after you start Coreg. This includes dizziness or swelling (which may indicate you’re holding on to more fluid). Often, these symptoms don’t last long and can be managed. For example, if you experience swelling, your provider may ask you to increase the dose of your water pill (diuretic) if you take one. But if worsening heart failure symptoms persist, let your healthcare provider know.

Hypertension 

For hypertension, the recommended starting dose of Coreg is 6.25 mg twice daily. If your blood pressure is still high after 1 to 2 weeks, your healthcare provider may increase your dose to 12.5 mg twice daily. After another 1 to 2 weeks, your dose can be increased again to 25 mg twice daily. This is the maximum daily dosage.

For Coreg ER, the typical starting dosage is 20 mg once daily. If your blood pressure is still high after 1 to 2 weeks, your provider may increase your dose to 40 mg once daily. The maximum dosage is 80 mg once daily. 

Keep in mind: Coreg isn't a first-choice medication for hypertension in most people. But it can be taken with other blood pressure medications if first-choice options don’t work on their own. The best Coreg dosage for you depends on what your blood pressure goals are. For many people with high blood pressure, a good goal is 130/80 mmHg or less.

After a heart attack

If you have a heart attack, you may receive Coreg while you’re in the hospital or soon after leaving. This is because Coreg can help lower the amount of stress on your heart. Its blood pressure-lowering effects are also helpful. 

The recommended starting dose of Coreg is 6.25 mg twice daily. But for people who already have low blood pressure, a low heart rate, or fluid retention, your healthcare provider may start you at a lower dose of 3.125 mg twice daily. If needed, your healthcare provider may double your dose every 3 to 10 days. The maximum dosage is 25 mg twice daily.

If you’re prescribed Coreg ER, the usual starting dosage is 20 mg once daily (or 10 mg once daily if a lower dose is needed). Your dose may be increased every 3 to 10 days. The maximum recommended dosage is 80 mg once daily.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

Possibly. For example, in rare cases kidney function may worsen after starting Coreg. Signs of kidney damage include peeing less or not at all, feeling nauseous, and having muscle cramps. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away. They may need to decrease your Coreg dosage or stop it completely.

If you’re over 65, you may be more likely to experience dizziness, especially just after starting Coreg or after your dose is increased. To minimize this, your healthcare provider might start you on a lower Coreg dosage. They may also raise your dose more slowly.

Additionally, there are groups of people that should avoid Coreg altogether. This includes people with asthma, a very low heart rate, and severe liver problems.

Can you switch from Coreg IR to Coreg ER?

In some cases, your health provider may suggest that you switch from Coreg IR to ER. You may prefer this because Coreg ER is only taken once a day while the IR formulation is usually taken twice daily. But Coreg ER is typically more expensive than Coreg IR, even though both are available as generics.

If it’s appropriate for you to switch from Coreg IR to Coreg ER, your provider will help you make the switch safely. Your total daily dose of Coreg IR will determine your new dose of Coreg ER. The resulting Coreg ER dosage will likely be higher than your daily dose of Coreg IR. For example, if you take Coreg IR 12.5 mg twice daily, your total daily dose is 25 mg. But your new Coreg ER dosage would likely be 40 mg once daily.

What happens if you miss a dose of Coreg?

If you forget to take a dose of Coreg, take it right when you remember. But if it's close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose altogether. Don’t double your dose to make up for the missed dose. 

If you miss multiple doses of Coreg in a row, let your healthcare provider know. Stopping Coreg abruptly can lead to chest pain and increase your heart-related risks. Your provider may want to monitor you more closely.

What should you do if you take too much Coreg?

Taking too much Coreg raises your risk of side effects. These may include low blood pressure, low heart rate, and feeling tired. More seriously, this can cause your heart to stop working and lead to cardiac arrest. 

If you think you took too much Coreg, talk to your healthcare provider right away. They can help determine if you can safely manage your side effects at home. If any of your symptoms feel severe, like extreme dizziness, chest pain, or trouble breathing, seek immediate medical care or call 911.

How to save on Coreg

Coreg IR and Coreg ER are available as brand-name medications. But you can also find them as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can help you navigate the many ways to save on your prescription.

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 40% off the average retail price of the generic versions of Coreg IR and Coreg ER. Generic Coreg IR at certain pharmacies may be as low as $9.39 with a free GoodRx discount. Generic Coreg ER at certain pharmacies may be $77.42 with a free GoodRx discount.

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance and meet eligibility requirements, brand-name Coreg IR and Coreg ER (called Coreg CR) are as little as $5 if you use the manufacturer’s savings card. 

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Written by:

Makaela Premont, PharmD

Makaela Premont, PharmD, is a pharmacist and the founder of uniquelymickie.com, a website dedicated to helping pharmacy students and pharmacists create a life that they enjoy. She received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of South Carolina and is a licensed pharmacist in North Carolina.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Daphne Berryhill, RPh

Daphne Berryhill, RPh, has two decades of experience as a clinical pharmacist. She spent most of her career in the Chicago area practicing in-home infusion.

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