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IMPORTANT
NOTE:
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR,
THE EXPERTISE AND JUDGMENT OF YOUR PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST OR OTHER
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO INDICATE THAT USE
OF THE DRUG IS SAFE, APPROPRIATE, OR EFFECTIVE FOR YOU. CONSULT YOUR
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING.
Brand Name Supplied As Rx
Coreg Tablets: 3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25mg RX
Active Ingredient:
Carvedilol
Type of Drug:
Drug used to lower high blood pressure; antihypertensive; alpha/beta-adrenergic blocking agent.
Uses:
For the management of high blood pressure. It can be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs such as thiazide diuretics (water pills).
For the treatment of certain forms of mild to severe heart failure, usually in combination with diuretics, ACE inhibitors (eg, lisinopril), and digitalis (eg, digoxin), to increase survival and reduce the need for hospitalization.
To increase survival and reduce the need for hospitalization for patients who have experienced heart damage following a heart attack.
Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe this drug for chest pain (angina pectoris) or idiopathic cardiomyopathy.
Drug Interactions:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or if you are planning to take any over-the-counter or prescription medications while taking this medicine. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be changed or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with this drug:
* calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem)
* catecholamine-depleting agents (eg, reserpine, MAOIs)
* cimetidine (eg, Tagamet)
* clonidine (eg, Catapres)
* cyclosporine (eg, Neoral)
* CYP-2D6 inhibitors (eg, amiodarone, fluoxetine, ritonavir)
* digoxin (eg, Lanoxin)
* insulin
* oral hypoglycemics (eg, sulfonylureas)
* rifampin (eg, Rifadin)
Side Effects:
Every drug can cause side effects, but most people have no, or minor, side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following occurs:
Digestive Tract: Stomach pain; diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.
Nervous System: Dizziness; sleeplessness; drowsiness; fatigue; weakness; headache; sleepiness; feeling of whirling motion; depression.
Circulatory System: Slow heart rate; postural hypotension (dizziness or lightheadedness when rising from a sitting or lying position); swelling of the lower legs; chest pain; low blood pressure; fainting.
Other: Runny nose; sore throat; difficulty breathing; back, joint, or general body pain; infection; unusual bleeding or bruising; upper respiratory infection; increased cough; blurred vision; fever; muscle cramps; impotence; urinary tract infection; weight gain; viral infection; increased sweating; abnormal vision; high blood sugar; general body discomfort; abnormal skin sensations.
Precautions:
Do not use in the following situations:
* allergy to the drug or any of its ingredients
* bronchial asthma (or related bronchial conditions)
* heart problems, severe (eg, slow heartbeat, heart block, shock)
* liver disease, severe
Use with caution in the following situations:
* anesthesia/surgery
* heart disease
* heart failure
* hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
* hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
* hypotension (low blood pressure)
* kidney impairment
* peripheral vascular disease (hardening of the arteries)
Diabetes: This drug can mask signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and alter blood sugar levels. It may be necessary for your doctor to alter your dose of diabetic medications while you are taking this medicine. Monitor blood sugar frequently when treatment is started or stopped and after any change in dose.
Bronchospasm, nonallergic (eg, chronic bronchitis, emphysema): In general, patients with bronchospastic disease should not take this drug. However, this drug may be used with caution in patients who do not respond to or cannot tolerate other high blood pressure drugs. Use the lowest possible dose in these cases.
Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and if potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.
Breastfeeding: It is not known whether this drug appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.
Children: Safety and effectiveness in children under 18 years of age have not been established.
Guidelines For Use:
* Use exactly as prescribed.
* Therapy is usually started with low doses and gradually increased to obtain maximum benefit.
* Take with food to reduce risk of lightheadedness or dizziness when rising or standing.
* If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose in order to "catch up" (unless your doctor tells you to). If more than one dose is missed or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
* Do not stop taking or change the dose without checking with your doctor. Unless it is an emergency, this drug should not be stopped suddenly. It should be gradually withdrawn over a 1- to 2-week period.
* May cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting (especially when rising or standing). If these symptoms should occur, sit or lie down and contact your doctor. Use caution when driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity until tolerance is determined.
* Patients being treated for high blood pressure often feel tired and run down for a few weeks after beginning therapy. It takes time for the body to adjust to lowered blood pressure. The full effect may take 7 to 14 days. Continue taking your medication even though you may not feel "normal." Check with your doctor or pharmacist during this time regarding any new symptoms that occur to assure that these new feelings are a normal consequence of changes in blood pressure.
* Patients treated for congestive heart failure should consult their doctor if they experience signs or symptoms of worsening heart failure such as weight gain or increasing shortness of breath.
* Diabetic patients should monitor blood sugar more frequently when therapy is started or stopped or dose is changed. Report any changes in blood sugar to your doctor.
* If itching, dark urine, appetite loss, yellowing of skin or eyes, pain in the upper right side, or flu-like symptoms occur, contact your doctor immediately.
* Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions regarding lifestyle changes (eg, exercise, salt restriction, weight loss) that can increase the effectiveness of therapy.
* Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.
* Dose adjustments may be required after checking blood pressure. Be sure to keep appointments.
* Contact lens wearers may notice decreased tearing (dry eyes).
* Store at room temperature (59° to 86° F) in a tightly sealed container away from moisture and light.
How The Drug Works:
This drug lowers blood pressure by dilating (widening) blood vessels. This slows the heartbeat, thereby decreasing blood pressure and pulse rate. It is not known whether this drug helps patients after a heart attack or with congestive heart failure.
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