Carvedilol oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved carvedilol oral tablet to treat the following in adults:

• heart failure
• high blood pressure
• left ventricular dysfunction (a problem with the heart’s left ventricle not functioning properly after a heart attack)

This article describes possible side effects of carvedilol oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for carvedilol.

Carvedilol oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Coreg. Carvedilol also comes as an extended-release* capsule that you swallow. The brand name of this form is Coreg CR. But this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.

You can explore this overview article to learn more about carvedilol oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, ways to save on cost, and more.

* Extended release means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time.

More common side effects of carvedilol

Below are some of the more common side effects of carvedilol oral tablet that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.

More common side effects in people taking carvedilol oral tablet for heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction include:

• dizziness
• fatigue (low energy)
• mild low blood pressure
• diarrhea
• high blood sugar

The most common side effect in people taking carvedilol oral tablet for high blood pressure was dizziness.

Mild side effects of carvedilol

Carvedilol may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of carvedilol oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• dizziness or lightheadedness
• fatigue (low energy)
• mild low blood pressure
• diarrhea
• shortness of breath
• dry eyes, which may be bothersome if you use contact lenses
• weakness
• fluid retention, resulting in swelling of the ankles or feet
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• muscle cramps
• erectile dysfunction
• high blood sugar
• high cholesterol
• weight gain*
• mild allergic reaction*

Carvedilol oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For more details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of carvedilol in detail” section below.

Serious side effects of carvedilol

Carvedilol may cause certain serious side effects. If you have serious side effects from carvedilol oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911, or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with carvedilol oral tablet.

Serious side effects of carvedilol oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• heart-related side effects, including AV block, slow heart rate, and angina (a type of chest pain)
• syncope*
• serious heart-related symptoms if treatment is suddenly stopped*
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of carvedilol in detail” section below.

Common questions about side effects of carvedilol

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of carvedilol oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do side effects of carvedilol in older adults compare with those in younger adults?

Side effects of carvedilol in older adults are expected to be the same as those in younger adults. (People ages 65 years and older are usually considered older adults.) However, in studies, older adults were slightly more likely to have dizziness compared with younger adults.

If you’re an older adult, your doctor can provide more information on your risk of side effects from carvedilol based on your medical history.

Does carvedilol cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases, carvedilol oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. But they’re not expected to last after you stop taking the drug.

Some long-term side effects of carvedilol may occur but not go away on their own during treatment. Examples include:

• a heart condition called atrioventricular (AV) block
• erectile dysfunction
• high blood sugar
• high cholesterol
• slow heart rate
• serious heart-related symptoms if treatment is suddenly stopped*

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to best manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of carvedilol may last.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of carvedilol in detail” section below.

Is carvedilol used for anxiety? If so, are there certain side effects with this use?

Carvedilol is not approved for treating anxiety.

However, doctors sometimes prescribe beta-blocker drugs to treat anxiety. (Carvedilol is a type of beta-blocker drug). So, doctors may prescribe carvedilol off-label for anxiety. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

To learn more about using a beta-blocker drug to treat anxiety, talk with your doctor. They can discuss other possible off-label uses of carvedilol.

Coupon for carvedilol

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for carvedilol when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects of carvedilol in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of carvedilol oral tablet.

Weight gain

In studies, weight gain was somewhat common in people taking carvedilol oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild. It’s important to note that weight gain can be caused by conditions carvedilol is used to treat. This includes heart failure.

Ways to manage

If you experience weight gain while taking carvedilol, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to help you manage a body weight that’s healthy for you. It’s unlikely that they’ll suggest stopping treatment with carvedilol, unless the weight gain is severe.

If you take carvedilol to treat heart failure and experience sudden weight gain, call your doctor right away. It could mean your heart failure is worsening or your kidneys are having trouble functioning.

Serious heart-related symptoms if treatment is suddenly stopped

It’s possible to have serious heart-related symptoms if you suddenly stop taking carvedilol oral tablet.

This risk may be serious, especially in certain people. Serious heart-related symptoms weren’t reported in carvedilol’s studies, but they have been reported since the drug was approved for use.

Suddenly stopping treatment with carvedilol oral tablet may lead to:

• heart attack
• angina (a type of chest pain)
• irregular heart rhythm

Certain factors can increase this risk with carvedilol oral tablet. These include having coronary artery disease. That said, anyone taking carvedilol is at risk of this side effect from suddenly stopping treatment.

Ways to manage

To help lower this risk, do not suddenly stop taking carvedilol oral tablet.

Talk with your doctor if you want to stop treatment. They can recommend a plan to slowly lower your carvedilol dose over a few weeks. This is called drug tapering. It helps lower your risk of serious symptoms when stopping treatment.

Syncope

In studies, syncope was rare in people taking carvedilol oral tablet. However, this side effect can be serious because it could lead to falls or injuries.

Syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness (also known as fainting). It can occur due to low blood pressure, especially when sitting up or standing. Low blood pressure is a possible side effect of carvedilol.

Before fainting occurs, you may have symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.

This side effect is more likely to occur when you first start treatment with carvedilol or after dose increases.

Being dehydrated can further increase the risk of syncope.

Ways to manage

You can help lower your risk of syncope by taking carvedilol doses with food.

If you have symptoms related to syncope, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely recommend lowering your dose. They may suggest stopping treatment with carvedilol and trying another treatment option for your condition.

Allergic reaction

For some people, carvedilol oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. While rare, these reactions did occur in carvedilol’s studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to carvedilol oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for carvedilol

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking carvedilol oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take carvedilol oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether carvedilol oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking carvedilol oral tablet, talk with your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• breathing or lung problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• peripheral vascular disease
• heart problems, such as sick sinus syndrome, slowed heart rate, or atrioventricular (AV) block
• severe liver problems, such as liver cirrhosis
• planned cataract surgery
• a type of adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma
• thyroid conditions, such as overactive thyroid
• type 1 or 2 diabetes
• past allergic reaction to carvedilol or its ingredients

Carvedilol and pregnancy

It’s not known whether carvedilol oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Carvedilol and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether carvedilol oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Carvedilol and alcohol

It may not be safe to drink alcohol while taking carvedilol oral tablet.

Consuming alcohol while taking carvedilol oral tablet may raise your risk of certain side effects. These include dizziness and low blood pressure. This is because alcohol and carvedilol can each cause these side effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with carvedilol oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of carvedilol oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Do any medications I take interact with carvedilol and increase my risk of side effects?
• If I have diabetes, will carvedilol affect my blood sugar level?
• If I have side effects from carvedilol, can I try taking a lower dose?
• Can carvedilol cause exercise intolerance?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.