NEWLY DISCOVERED USES (OFF-LABEL)
Ventricular tachycardia, prevention of recurrence and sudden death
ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL) High blood pressure, mild to severe heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction following a myocardial infarction
BRAND NAME Coreg
DRUG CLASS
Alpha-/beta-adrenergic blocker
DESCRIPTION
Carvedilol blocks a type of cell membrane, called beta-adrenergic receptors, in the heart to stabilize heart rate and reduce blood pressure.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Low blood pressure, dizziness, fatigue, changes in blood glucose, weight gain, diarrhea, weakness, low heart rate, headache, fever, increased liver function tests, gout, nausea, vomiting, impotence, back pain, joint pain, muscle aches, blurred vision, abnormal renal function, albuminuria, increased cough.
CAUTIONS
Notify your doctor if you have cardiac failure, bronchial asthma, second- or third- degree AV block, sick sinus syndrome, severe low heart rate, severe liver impairment, or are in 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
Avoid driving or hazardous tasks during initiation of therapy.
Avoid abrupt discontinuation. Dose should be tapered over 1-2 weeks.
It may mask signs of thyroid problems.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
This drug is metabolized by a specific set of liver enzymes (cytochrome P450 enzymes). Several other drugs interfere with these liver enzymes, and thus may increase or decrease the clearance of carvedilol from the body, potentially increasing the risk of side effects or decreasing effectiveness.
When these drugs are given in combination with carvedilol, dosage adjustments may be needed. As these are too numerous to list, you should always check with your doctor or pharmacist prior to starting a new medication, herbal, or nonprescription product.
FOOD INTERACTIONS
Garlic
HERBAL INTERACTIONS
Dong quai, ephedra, yohimbe, and ginseng
PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
FDA Pregnancy Risk Category C (manufacturer); D (2nd and 3rd trimesters — expert analysis).
