Carvedilol
Information about Carvedilol
Carvedilol uses
Carvedilol is used in the treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure), Angina (heart-related chest pain) and Heart failure.
How carvedilol works
Carvedilol is an alpha and beta blocker. It works by slowing down the heart rate and relaxing blood vessels which makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood around the body.
Common side effects of carvedilol
Decreased blood pressure, Headache, Fatigue, Dizziness
Content Details
Last updated on:
16 Oct 2019 | 01:30 PM (IST)
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Expert advice for Carvedilol
- It should be taken with food.
- Check your blood pressure 1 week after starting Carvedilol, and inform your doctor if it has not improved.
- Carvedilol may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
- It is best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Carvedilol as it may make the side effects worse.
- Do not stop taking Carvedilol suddenly as it can cause your blood pressure to rise suddenly, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Frequently asked questions for Carvedilol
Carvedilol
Q. What happens when you stop taking Carvedilol?
Carvedilol needs to be taken regularly as directed by your doctor. Suddenly stopping it may cause chest pain or heart attack. Your doctor may slowly lower your dose over a period of time before stopping it completely, if required.
Q. Does Carvedilol make you tired?
Yes, Carvedilol may make you tired as well as dizzy. These may occur initially when you start the treatment or when the dose is increased. If you experience these symptoms you should not drive or operate machinery.
Q. Can Carvedilol cause weight gain?
Yes, weight gain is a common side effect of Carvedilol, but it does not occur in everyone. If you are taking Carvedilol for heart failure, tell your doctor if you gain weight or have trouble breathing, as this may be a sign of fluid retention.
Q. Can Carvedilol cause kidney failure?
Use of Carvedilol in patients with heart failure can rarely lead to deterioration of kidney function. However, Carvedilol may cause risk of kidney failure in patients with low blood pressure (systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg), patients with hardening of the arteries and/or having heart disease or already having impaired kidney function. Such patients should be closely monitored during treatment with Carvedilol. Although, kidney functions return to baseline when Carvedilol is stopped.
Q. Can a diabetic patient take Carvedilol?
Yes, a diabetic patient can take Carvedilol, provided that there is a regular check on blood glucose levels. It has been noted that in well controlled diabetes mellitus with mild to moderate hypertension, Carvedilol did not have any effect on blood glucose levels. However, it is important to know that, using Carvedilol class of medicines (beta blockers) may hide the symptoms of hypoglycemia (decrease in glucose levels), especially increase in heart beat or palpitations. In addition to that, Carvedilol may cause worsening of hyperglycaemia (increase in blood glucose levels) in patients with heart failure and diabetes. Hence, it is recommended that blood glucose should be monitored while initiating, adjusting, or discontinuing the dose of Carvedilol. Inform the doctor if there is any change in blood glucose levels during Carvedilol therapy.
Q. Can I take Carvedilol empty stomach?
It is recommended that you take Carvedilol with food, as food decreases the rate at which the medicine gets absorbed by the body. This will help to reduce the chances of orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure which may cause dizziness or fainting when you stand up).
Q. Who should not take Carvedilol?
Carvedilol should be avoided if the patient has severe heart failure and is hospitalized in the intensive care unit or require certain intravenous medications that help support circulation (inotropic medications). In addition to that, Carvedilol should be avoided in patients who are prone to asthma or other breathing problems, have a slow heartbeat or irregular heartbeat (heart that skips a beat), have liver problems, and are allergic to Carvedilol.
Q. What are the serious side effects of Carvedilol?
Carvedilol may cause serious side effects such as fainting, shortness of breath, weight gain, swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs. Some may also experience chest pain, slow or irregular heartbeat, rash, hives, itching, and difficulty in breathing and swallowing. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately.
Q. What if I take more than the recommended dose of Carvedilol?
If you take more than the recommended dose of Carvedilol you may experience slow heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and loss of consciousness or seizures. Contact your doctor and seek immediate medical help in a nearby hospital.