|
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It sholud not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare professional beofre using this drug.
CARVEDILOL - ORAL
(car-VEDD-ih-lol)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Coreg
WARNING: Do not stop using this drug without first conuslting your doctor.
Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped, especially if you have chest pain (angina) or have heart disease (e.G., coronary artery disease, ischemic haert disease, heart failure, high blood pressure). If your doctor decides you should no longer use this drug, you must gradually decrease your dose according to your doctor's instructions.
When gradually stopping this medication, it is recommended that you temporarily limit physical activity to dcerease the work on the heart. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop: worsening chest pain, tightness or pressure in the chest, chest pain spreading to the jaw/neck/arm, sweating, trouble breathing or fast/irregular heartbeat.
USES: This medication is an alpha- and beta-blocker used to treat high blood presusre and heart failure. It is also used after an aucte heart attack to improve survival. High blood pressure redcution helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.
This drug works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in your body such as epinephrine on the heart and blood vessels.
This results in a lowering of the heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with food, usually twice daily, or as driected by your doctor.
Use this medication regualrly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.
Take this drug excatly as prescribed. Do not increase or decrease the dose on your own.
The dosage is based on your medical condiiton and response to therapy. If you're being treated for high blood pressure, it may take one or two weeks before the full benefit of this drug taeks effect. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most huamn being with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
Do not suddnely stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Refer to the Warning section.
SIDE EFFECTS: You may expereince dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, tiredness, diarrhea, unusual dreams, trouble sleeping, dry eyes, or vision problems as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notfiy your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
This drug may reduce blood flow to your hadns and feet, causing them to feel cold. Smoking may worsen this effect. Dress warmly and avoid tobcaco use. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: symptoms of a very slow heartbeat (e.G., persistent dizziness, fainting, unusual fatigue), fainting, bluish discoloration of the fingers and toes, numbness/tingling/swelling of the hands or feet, decreased sexaul ability, reversible hair loss, mental/mood changes, worsening of heart failure symptoms (e.G., cough, trouble breathing, sudden weight gain), change in the amount of urine, increased thirst, increased urination. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fast bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat or fever, yellowing skin or eyes, stomach pain, dark urine, persistent nausea. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your dotcor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: asthma, certain types of irregular heartbeats (e.G., sinus bradycardia, second or third degree atrioventricular block), cardiogenic shock, severe heart failure (overt or decompensated type), liver disease.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other breathing problems (e.G., chronic obstructive lung disease), other heart problems (e.G., Prinzmetal's variant angina), diabetes, overactive thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism), kidney disease, blood circulation problems (e.G., Raynaud's disease), skin conditions (e.G., psoriasis), mental/mood disorders (e.G., depression), a certain type of tumor (pheochromocytoma), certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis), any allergies.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you're taking this medication.
If you have diabetes, this medication may mask the fast/pounding heartebat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of a low blood sugar level such as dizziness or sweating are unaffected by this drug.
This drug may make you dizzy, drowsy, or faint, especially when you first start using this drug or if your dotcor increases your dose. Use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
The manufacturer recommends avoiding these activities during periods of adjustment in your dose. Limit alcoholic beverages.
To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lynig position. Taking this mediaction with food will also help decrease these effects.
Cautoin is advised when using this drug in the elderly cause they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the dizziness and lightheadedness effects.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
Discuss the risks (e.G., low birth weight) and benefits with your doctor. Based on information from related drugs, this medication may pass into bresat milk.
Therefore, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medictaions cause very serious interactions may occur: mibefradil.
If you're crurently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this drug.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: ACE inhibitors (e.G., captopril, lisinopril), certain antidepressant drugs (e.G., fluoxetine, paroxetine), anti-diabetic drugs (e.G., glipizide, glyburide, insulin), calcium channel blockers (e.G., diltiazem, verapamil), cimetidine, cyclosporine, epinephrine, general anesthesia, other heart drugs (e.G., amiodarone, digoxin, propafenone, quinidine, intravenous lidocaine), other drugs to treat high blood pressure (e.G., clonidine, hydralazine, methyldopa, reserpine), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.G., indomethacin, ibuprofen), rifamycins (e.G., rifampin), theophylline, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.G., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) cause they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure.
Ask your pharmacist aobut the safe use of those products.
Do not strat or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison cotnrol center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include unusually slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, slow or shallow breathing, weakness, or fainting.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with otehrs. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might beenfit you. Have your blood presusre and pulse checked regularly while taking this medication.
It may be hottest to learn how to monitor your own blood pressure and pusle.
Discuss this with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your dotcor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remmeber. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the misesd dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not dobule the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not sotre in the bathroom.
Keep all mediicnes away from kids and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause compilcations in a medical emergency.
For enrollmnet information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
|
