Coreg – Information, Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Drug trade name: Coreg, Coreg CR

Category: Beta-blocker

Generic name: carvedilol                                                              

Introduction and Quick Information about Coreg:

Coreg (carvedilol) is included in the class of drugs known as beta-blockers. Beta-blocker can affect the blood circulation i.e. blood flow through veins and arteries as well as the functioning of the heart. This medication is helpful to treat congestive heart failure and high blood pressure (hypertension). The carvedilol works by clogging the receptors of adrenergic nervous system, which is a system of nerves where adrenalin (epinephrine) is active. By blocking these receptors, this drug lowers the heart’s contraction and relaxation rate; thereby stabilizing the working of the heart, causing the blood pressure to fall and arteries to relax.

Is Coreg Approved by U.S. FDA?

Yes, the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved carvedilol to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.

Usage and Benefits of Coreg:

Coreg is effective for the treatment of multiple health conditions. Some of the most common uses and benefits of Coreg include:

1. Coreg for High Blood Pressure: Coreg has the ability to lower the diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Higher the dosage of Coreg, lower blood pressure readings will be obtained. By reducing the blood pressure, this drug can also decrease the chances of heart conditions, brain stroke, kidney failure etc. which often take place with the long-term high blood pressure.
2. Coreg for Congestive Heart Failure – For the people who are suffering from severe to mild congestive heart failure, Coreg (carvedilol) can reduce the blood pressure and enhance the heart functioning. This information is retrieved from several clinical studies where Coreg was pooled with some other effective medications for congestive heart failure, including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin, Digitek).
3. Coreg For Heart Attack- A heart attack or myocardial infarction is one of the life-threatening events in which the supply of oxygen and blood to the heart parts is blocked for such a long period of time that the heart muscle dies. For those people who have developed left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure following a heart attack, Coreg can reduce the risks of death by around 23 percent by its regular use. Coreg can also prove to be helpful in reducing the strain on the heart.

Coreg Side Effects:

Some of the common side effects associated with this drug are:

• Uneven or slow heartbeats
• Feeling light-headed
• Feeling fainting
• Feeling short of breath
• Nausea
• Mild exertion
• Clay-colored stools
• Low fever
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of feet or ankles
• Dark urine
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Impotence, decreased sex drive
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Stomach pain
• Feeling cold (especially feet and hands)
• Nervousness
• Difficulty having an orgasm
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Tired feeling

General Recommended Dosages of Coreg:

1. You need to take Coreg in the exact quantity, which your healthcare provider has prescribed. Never take it in extra amounts.
2. This medication comes with proper patient instructions for the effective and safe use. You should follow all the directions and instructions carefully. Ask the pharmacist or doctor in case you have any query.
3. Take carvedilol with one complete glass of water.
4. You can also open the extended-release capsule of this drug and then sprinkle the content into one-spoon of applesauce so that you can swallow it easily. Throw away the empty capsule.
5. In case you are planning to switch to Coreg extended-release capsules (Coreg CR) from the Coreg pills, your regular overall dose may be lower or higher than before. Follow the instructions of your physician carefully.
6. Your doctor may ask you to have regular blood pressure checkups to ensure if the pill is working effectively for you.
7. If you require to undergo any sort of surgery, inform your surgeon in advance that you are already taking Coreg.
8. Remember that this drug is just a part of the complete treatment for high blood pressure that includes proper exercise, diet as well as weight control. Hence, you should follow all these regimes properly.

In case I Miss my Dose?

You can have your missed dose at the time you recall it. However, if it is the time to take next scheduled dose then you can skip the missed one and take the scheduled dose. But don’t ever take the double dose.

In case I Take Overdose?

Some common overdose symptoms include bluish-colored fingernails, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, dizziness, weakness, seizure, and fainting. The moment you encounter these side effects seek medical help.

Drug Interactions of Coreg:

• clonidine (Catapres);
• digoxin (Lanoxin, digitalis);
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);
• fluconazole (Diflucan);
• rifampin (Rifamate, Rifater, Rifadin);
• guanabenz (Wytensin);
• Antidepressant like: paroxetine (Paxil) or fluoxetine (Prozac);
• Diabetes or insulin medications;
• Beta-blockers like esmolol (Brevibloc), atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Toprol, Lopressor), labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne), propranolol (InnoPran, Inderal), nadolol (Corgard), sotalol (Betapace), etc;
• MAO inhibitor like tranylcypromine (Parnate), isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or phenelzine (Nardil);
• Any heart medication like quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release), amiodarone (Pacerone, Cordarone), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), reserpine (Serpasil), propafenone (Rythmol), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), verapamil (Isoptin, Verelan, Calan);
• Medicines for breathing disorders like asthma, bitolterol (Tornalate), albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), pirbuterol (Maxair), metaproterenol (Alupent), theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair) and terbutaline (Bricanyl, Brethine, Brethaire);
• Stimulants, cold medicines, or diet pills.

Lifestyle and Food Habits You Must Follow When on Coreg:

Believe it or not, but lifestyle plays an essential role to determine the efficacy and usefulness of any sort of treatment. If you are following a healthy diet plan then obviously, you can get rid of your health conditions and problems very soon. Alcohol consumption is one such injurious habit, which not only makes the physical condition worst but also acts as a deterrent in any medical treatment to get success. Hence, it is advisable to stop alcohol intake on Coreg.

Also, inform your doctor if you have diabetes, low blood pressure, a thyroid disorder, depression, myasthenia gravis, kidney disease, congestive heart failure or pheochromocytoma.

How safe is Coreg for Pregnant Women or Nursing Mothers?

Most of the healthcare providers do not suggest the use of this medication during pregnancy as it can harm unborn babies. There is no such data available to justify the use of Coreg during pregnancy or lactation period. Thus do inform your physician if you are pregnant, a nursing mother or even planning to get pregnant during this treatment.

Complications and Conditions Possible Due to Prolonged Use of Coreg:

It is not known whether prolonged use of this drug can make you addicted or not. But still, do not skip the prescribed doses or stop using Coreg completely without consulting your doctor. Discontinuing drug abruptly can make your physical or mental health condition worse.

Availability of the Coreg:

This drug is available only by prescription.