This medicine is an alpha- and nonselective beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so your heart does not have to pump as hard. This medicine is also used after a heart attack to improve survival. Carvedilol also is used occasionally to treat angina (chest pain) and heart muscle disease. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

Directions

Carvedilol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day with food. You will start out taking a low dose of carvedilol, and your doctor will increase your dose every 1 to 2 weeks until you are taking a dose that works well for you. When you start carvedilol and whenever your doctor increases your dose you will be closely watched to make sure the dose is not too high for you. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take carvedilol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Carvedilol controls high blood pressure and heart failure but does not cure them. Your blood pressure should lower within 30 minutes and your symptoms of heart failure should begin to improve within the first hour of beginning carvedilol. Continue taking carvedilol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking carvedilol without talking to your doctor. Abruptly stopping carvedilol can worsen your symptoms. Your doctor will probably want to decrease your dose gradually over 1 to 2 weeks.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Side effects from carvedilol can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• tiredness
• lightheadedness
• dizziness
• body or leg swelling
• headache
• diarrhea
• vision changes
• joint pain
• difficulty falling or staying asleep

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• fainting
• difficulty breathing
• weight gain
• chest pain
• slow, irregular heartbeat
• abdominal pain
• dark urine
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• loss of consciousness
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• seizures
• changes in blood sugar level
• frequent urination
• thirst
• dry mouth
• flushing
• dry skin
• sore throat, fever, cough, or other signs of infection

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking carvedilol,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have a history of allergic reactions to any substance (for example, food products or bee stings) or are allergic to carvedilol or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially cimetidine (Tagamet), clonidine (Catapres), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem C, Dilacor XR), fluoxetine (Prozac), insulin, oral medications for diabetes, paroxetine (Paxil), phenelzine (Nardil), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quinaglute, Dura-Tabs, others), reserpine (Serpalan, Serpasil), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater, Rimactane), tranylcypromine (Parnate), verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Verelan), and vitamins and herbal products.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or another lung disease; blood vessel disease; heart, kidney, or liver disease; diabetes; pheochromocytoma; or an overactive thyroid gland.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking carvedilol, call your doctor.
• It is unknown if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking carvedilol.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• you should know that this drug may make you dizzy and lightheaded when you are standing. You should sit or lie down when these symptoms occur and then stand up slowly.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you take too much (overdose)

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include very slow heart rate, severe dizziness, fainting, weakness, and difficult or slowed breathing.

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature below 86°F (30°C), away from heat, moisture, and light.

Additional information

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed.

Do not use this medicine for other health conditions.

Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.

If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.