Coreg
® (
carvedilol) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. It is part of a part of a class of drugs called beta blockers.
The drug is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.
Uses include:
It has not been licensed for use in children, although it is often used in an
off-label fashion to treat specific conditions in children. Coreg may also be recommended for other off-label reasons, such as treatment for
migraines or
anxiety.
(Click Coreg Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Coreg is part of a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, or beta blockers for short. As the name implies, beta blockers block beta receptors in the body. Beta receptors are located in a number of places, including the heart and blood vessels. These receptors are what stress hormones (such as adrenaline) attach to and cause certain reactions in the body, such as an increase in:
By blocking beta receptors, it causes the reverse effect of stress hormones. It decreases heart rate and both
systolic and diastolic blood pressures, as well as the workload on the heart. This means that the heart requires less blood and oxygen to work properly. The medication also increases the efficiency of the heart, allowing more blood to be pumped out to the rest of the body.
Unlike a lot of other beta blockers, Coreg also blocks alpha receptors. The alpha blocker component of the drug works more on the peripheral blood vessels (arteries and veins) or the blood vessels in the arms and legs. By blocking the alpha receptors, it relaxes these blood vessels.
A
blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. During clinical studies in people taking Coreg, systolic blood pressure decreased by 9 mmHg (millimeters of mercury), on average and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 5 mmHg. The higher the dose, the greater the drop in blood pressure tended to be. By
lowering blood pressure, Coreg can decrease the risks that often accompany long-term
high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure).
For people with mild to severe
congestive heart failure, the effects of Coreg on the heart and blood vessels have been shown to:
- Decrease the progression of congestive heart failure
- Improve congestive heart failure symptoms
- Decrease hospitalizations and loss of life from congestive heart failure.
Following a
heart attack, Coreg has been known to decrease the chances of death, as well as the chances for another heart attack.
When and How Do I Take Coreg?
General considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- Coreg comes in tablet form and is generally taken twice a day.
- It should be taken with food.
- Do not break, chew, or crush the tablets.
- It should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of medicine in your blood.
- For it to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
- You should not stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider. Stopping it abruptly increases the risk for serious side effects (see Coreg Precautions and Warnings).
The dose of Coreg that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The medical condition you are being treated for
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you are currently taking
- How you respond to Coreg.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, they are often minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
The most common side effects include:
You can also read about other possible side effects by clicking the following eMedTV links:
Drug Interactions With Coreg
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking Coreg if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (see Coreg and Pregnancy)
- Are breastfeeding
- Will be undergoing surgery or anesthesia.
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines,
antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Coreg may have overdose symptoms that could include, but are not limited to:
If you happen to overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
Coreg should be stored at room temperature in a dry place. The tablets should be kept in an airtight, light-resistant container.
Keep Coreg and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Coreg dose as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Never take a double dose!
Coreg tablets come in a number of strengths, including:
- Coreg 3.125 mg
- Coreg 6.25 mg
- Coreg 12.5 mg
- Coreg 25 mg.
Currently, both brand-name and generic versions of Coreg are licensed for sale
(see Generic Coreg for more information).
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