Carvedilol high blood pressure medicine
High blood pressure medicine Carvedilol is used alone or in combination with other medicine to treat high blood pressure. Carvedilol is a combination of two classes of drugs called beta-blockers and alpha-blockers. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so your heart does not have to pump as hard. Carvedilol is used for treating high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Carvedilol also blocks adrenergic receptors on arteries and causes the arteries to relax and the blood pressure to fall. The drop in blood pressure further reduces the work of the heart since it is easier to pump blood against a lower pressure. The FDA first approved carvedilol in 1995.
High blood pressure medicine Carvedilol is related to labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate). Carvedilol blocks receptors of the adrenergic nervous system, the system of nerves in which epinephrine (adrenalin) is active. Nerves from the adrenergic system enter the heart and release an adrenergic chemical (norepinephrine) that attaches to receptors on the heart's muscle and stimulates the muscle to beat more rapidly and forcefully. By blocking the receptors, carvedilol reduces the heart's rate and force of contraction and thereby reduces the work of the heart.
Carvedilol is used by itself or with a diuretic ("water-pill") as a high blood pressure medicine. Carvedilol also may be used in combination with other drugs to manage mild or moderate congestive heart failure. When combined with other treatments for heart disease among patients with recent heart attacks, carvedilol can reduce the risk of a second heart attack by 40% and increase survival among patients with congestive heart failure.
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 is used as a high blood pressure medicine, it controls it and heart failure but does not cure them. Your high 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.
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 medicine you are taking, especially cimetidine (Tagamet), clonidine (Catapres), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem C, Dilacor XR), fluoxetine (Prozac), insulin, oral medicine 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.
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 side effects can this medicine 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
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Brand names
Coreg
Do not let anyone else take your high blood pressure medicine.