Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: CARVEDILOL (kar-VE-dil-ol)
This medicine is a beta-blocker used for treating high blood pressure or certain types of heart failure. It may also be used after a heart attack to improve survival in certain patients. It may be used along with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking mibefradil. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking other prescription or nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, inflammation, aches and pains, high blood pressure, heart problems, irregular heartbeat, diabetes, depression, mental or mood problems, immune system suppression, allergies, allergic reactions, asthma, high cholesterol, seizures); multivitamin products; or herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of other heart problems (eg, heart failure, slow or irregular heartbeat, angina); low blood pressure; liver or kidney problems; blood vessel disease; blood flow problems (eg, in the legs or feet); lung or breathing problems (eg, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); diabetes; low blood sugar; thyroid problems; or glaucoma. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol or will be having surgery. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a very slow heartbeat; certain types of irregular heartbeat (eg, moderate to severe heart block, sick sinus syndrome); very severe heart failure (eg, requires treatment in a hospital); asthma or other severe breathing problems; or severe liver problems. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. AN EXTRA PATIENT LEAFLET is available with this medicine. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. Take this medicine by mouth with food. Take it in the morning unless your doctor tells you otherwise. SWALLOW THIS MEDICINE WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, you may open it and sprinkle the contents over a spoonful of cool applesauce. Mix the medicine with the applesauce and swallow the mixture right away, followed by a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine before swallowing. Do not store mixture for future use. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL or take medicines that contain alcohol within 2 hours before or after you take this medicine. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE. Sharp chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur if you suddenly stop this medicine. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over several weeks if you need to stop taking it. This should be done even if you only take this medicine for high blood pressure. Heart disease is common and you may not know you have it. Limit physical activity while you are lowering your dose. If new or worsened chest pain or other heart problems occur, contact your doctor right away. You may need to start taking this medicine again. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. TAKE THIS MEDICINE on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. CONTINUE TO USE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. LAB TESTS, including blood pressure and heart function, may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, FAINTING, OR BLURRED VISION; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. Tell your doctor if these effects occur. These effects may be worse if you take this medicine with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. DO NOT TAKE more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. PATIENTS WHO TAKE MEDICINE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR DENTIST THAT YOU TAKE THIS MEDICINE before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF ANY SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION, talk with your doctor. You may be at risk for an even more severe allergic reaction if you come into contact with the substance that caused your allergy. Some medicines used to treat severe allergies may also not work as well while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Use this medicine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness. ELDERLY patients who switch to this medicine from the immediate-release tablets may have an increased risk of dizziness or fainting when they start this medicine. Use caution until you know how you react to this medicine. Tell your doctor if you experience these effects. FOR WOMEN: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. It is not known if this medicine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. DIABETES PATIENTS - This medicine may affect your blood sugar. This medicine may also hide signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea; dizziness; dry eyes; fatigue; headache; lightheadedness; nausea; vomiting; or weakness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience a change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; cold or numb legs or feet; disorientation; fainting; fever; irregular or unusually slow heartbeat; persistent or severe vision changes; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; sudden unusual weight gain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; or unusual leg pain. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; or unusual hoarseness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include chest pain, seizures, very slow heart beat, severe dizziness, fainting, and difficult or slowed breathing.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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