Carvedilol

Generic name: carvedilol [ KAR-ve-dil-ole ]
Brand names: Coreg, Coreg CR
Drug class:Non-cardioselective beta blockers

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Nov 24, 2021.

What is carvedilol?

Carvedilol is a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Carvedilol is used to treat heart failure and hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used after a heart attack that has caused your heart not to pump as well.

Carvedilol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not take carvedilol if you have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, severe liver disease, or a serious heart condition such as heart block, "sick sinus syndrome," or slow heart rate (unless you have a pacemaker).

Avoid drinking alcohol within 2 hours before or after taking extended-release carvedilol (Coreg CR). Also avoid taking medicines or other products that might contain alcohol. Alcohol may cause the carvedilol in Coreg CR to be released too quickly into the body.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using carvedilol even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take carvedilol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;

• severe liver disease; or

• a serious heart condition such as heart block, "sick sinus syndrome," or slow heart rate (unless you have a pacemaker).

To make sure carvedilol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• diabetes (taking carvedilol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar);

• angina (chest pain);

• liver or kidney disease;

• a thyroid disorder;

• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal...