Carvedilol
Carvedilol is a beta-blocker tablet used for heart failure and high blood pressure, listed here as Coreg in 3.125mg, 6.25mg, 12.5mg and 25mg.
What carvedilol is used for
Carvedilol treats heart failure, the condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood around the body, and high blood pressure. It is also given after a heart attack to improve the chances of surviving one. The tablet belongs to the beta-blocker group. In heart failure the starting strength is low and is built up in steps, which is why the range begins at 3.125mg; for blood pressure it tends to be used when other medicines have not brought readings down enough, or alongside them.
How it works and how to take it
Adrenaline makes the heart beat faster and harder. Carvedilol blocks its action at beta receptors in the heart, and at alpha-1 receptors in blood vessels, which lets those vessels widen. The heart then beats more slowly and with less force, against lower pressure.
Take the tablet twice a day with food, keeping to a morning and an evening slot. Carvedilol manages these conditions rather than curing them, so treatment is usually long term, and stopping suddenly can make heart failure symptoms or blood pressure worse. A forgotten dose can be taken later the same day with a meal; if the next one is nearly due, leave the missed dose out instead of taking two together.
Side effects
Dizziness, tiredness and lightheadedness are what people notice most, especially in the first days and after a strength increase. Carvedilol can drop blood pressure when you stand up, so rising slowly, sitting on the edge of the bed before standing, lowers the chance of a wobble. A slow pulse, cold hands and feet, blurred vision and weight gain are also reported.
A very slow or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or new swelling of the ankles with worsening breathlessness are signs the heart is not coping well and need prompt treatment. Swelling of the face, lips or throat with difficulty breathing is an emergency.
What interacts with carvedilol
Verapamil, diltiazem and some medicines for heart rhythm problems also slow the heart, so taken with carvedilol they can slow the pulse too much. St John's wort can reduce carvedilol's effect. Alcohol adds to the dizziness and the fall in blood pressure. Carvedilol can also make low blood sugar more likely and hide its early warning signs, which matters for anyone taking insulin or other diabetes medicines.
Choosing a strength
PockDose lists Coreg tablets in 3.125mg, 6.25mg, 12.5mg and 25mg, and carvedilol tablets also appear under the plain ingredient name. Which strength a person takes comes down to the condition and how far the dose has been built up: heart failure treatment starts at the bottom of the range and climbs, while blood pressure doses are often higher. Tablets keep well in their original blister pack, and warmth or damp is what spoils them over time. Other medicines for the same conditions sit in Heart & Blood Pressure.
Sources
- Carvedilol: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Heart failure - symptoms, causes and treatments - Healthdirect — Healthdirect Australia
Is Carvedilol available to order in Hong Kong?
Carvedilol can be ordered online from PockDose for delivery to Hong Kong, as generic Coreg, also sold as Carvedilol tablets, in 3.125mg, 6.25mg, 12.5mg and 25mg. Delivery to Hong Kong is by tracked courier and usually takes 5 to 9 business days, with tracking available online.
How are Carvedilol prices shown?
It depends on the strength and pack size. The carvedilol product listed here shows its current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Carvedilol?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order carvedilol. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What brand names does carvedilol have?
Coreg and Dilatrend are brand names of carvedilol, which is also sold as Cardivas and Eucardic. Here, carvedilol can be bought online as generic Coreg. These are generics, not the original brand.
Can I drink alcohol with carvedilol?
Alcohol adds to the blood-pressure drop carvedilol causes, so dizziness and lightheadedness become more likely and standing up can bring on a faint. A large amount of alcohol in one evening makes that worse, partly because the tablet is already slowing the heart.
Should carvedilol be taken with food?
Yes, the tablet is taken twice a day with a meal or snack. Food slows how quickly it is absorbed, which softens the early fall in blood pressure and lowers the chance of feeling lightheaded soon after a dose. Breakfast and the evening meal are the usual two slots.
How long do people take carvedilol for?
Usually long term. Carvedilol holds heart failure and blood pressure steady rather than curing them, and the benefit comes from taking it every day. In heart failure the strength is raised in steps over weeks, so the full effect builds gradually rather than arriving with the first tablet.
Does carvedilol affect blood sugar?
It can. Carvedilol makes low blood sugar more likely in some people and can hide the early signs, such as a pounding heartbeat and trembling, so a hypo may be noticed later than usual. This matters most if you take insulin or tablets for diabetes.
Can carvedilol worsen asthma or breathing problems?
It can tighten the airways, because the beta receptors it blocks are found in the lungs as well as the heart. Carvedilol is not usually chosen for people with asthma or severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, where the airways stay narrowed long term).