Coreg CR (generic name: carvedilol) is a medication used to manage hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure (a condition where your heart doesn't pump adequate amounts of blood). It belongs to the classification of medications called beta-blockers, and it relaxes your blood vessels, subsequently allowing more blood to flow to your heart. According to Drugs.com, the starting dose of Coreg CR is 10 mg daily.
Routine Side Effects
In a placebo-controlled study of 1,142 patients receiving Coreg, the National Library of Medicine reports that 6 percent of patients experienced dizziness, 2 percent had trouble sleeping and 2 percent had diarrhea. The drug can also cause weakness, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, a cough and dry eyes, says MedlinePlus. Other routine side effects include decreased libido (sex drive), fatigue, nervousness and anxiety, says Drugs.com. Talk to your doctor if these symptoms do not subside within three days.
Serious Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, serious side effects include bradycardia (slow heartbeat), arrythmia (irregular heartbeat), trouble breathing, lightheadedness, dizziness, fever and stomach pain. It can also cause your urine to become dark and your skin to turn yellow. Coreg CR can also cause depression, fainting spells and cold extremities. Inform your physician right away when you have these side effects, or call 911 when you can't breathe and your pain becomes severe.
Additional Side Effects
In a worldwide controlled or open trial of hypertensive patients getting Coreg, the National Library of Medicine reported that greater than 0.1 percent and less than 1 percent of the patients experienced difficulty concentration, paranoia and asthma. It can also cause pruiritus (itching), rash, photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight) and tinnitus (sensation of ringing in one or both ears). Coreg can also cause frequent urination, dry mouth, diaphoresis (sweating), hypokalemia (low potassium levels), anemia (low red blood cell levels) and leukopenia (low white blood cell levels).
Warnings
Avoid taking Coreg CR if you are allergic to it. You may develop hives, trouble breathing and swelling of your face, throat and lips.
According to the National Library of Medicine, do not take Coreg if you suffer from bronchial asthma or any bronchospastic (condition where your airways suddenly constrict) diseases. Status asthmaticus (an asthma exacerbation in which medications prove futile in relieving your breathing troubles) and death resulted from these patients receiving one dose of Coreg.
Do not stop Coreg suddenly if you suffer from coronary artery disease. Doing so can worsen your angina (chest pain).
Tell your doctor if you suffer from any heart diseases such as sick sinus syndrome (a condition of slow and fast heartbeats). Coreg may exacerbate your heart symptoms.
Tell your doctor if you are taking clonidine. Coreg and clonidine may lead to hypotension (low blood pressure) and severe bradycardia (slow heartbeat).
Tell your doctor if you are taking Digoxin, diltiazem or insulin, as this can lead to the aforementioned serious side effects.
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