Coreg

Introduction

Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on May 17, 2023

Carvedilol is a generic medication prescribed for high blood pressure and certain heart conditions. The brand-name versions of this drug are Coreg and Coreg CR. The cost of carvedilol with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.Carvedilol comes in these forms:

• tablet that’s swallowed
• extended-release* capsule that’s swallowed

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved carvedilol to treat:

• high blood pressure
• mild to severe long-term heart failure
• problems with the heart’s left ventricle after a heart attack

Read on to learn about carvedilol and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about carvedilol, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

* Extended release means the drug is slowly released into the body over time after you take a dose.

Cost of carvedilol

Like other medications, the cost of carvedilol can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much carvedilol costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for carvedilol” section.

Coupons for carvedilol

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of carvedilol. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

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

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for carvedilol

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of carvedilol. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for carvedilol. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking carvedilol long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Common questions about carvedilol and cost

Here are some common questions about carvedilol and their answers. 

Does carvedilol 25 mg cost more than carvedilol 12.5 mg?

It’s possible. The cost of carvedilol 25 milligrams (mg) compared with the cost of carvedilol 12.5 mg depends on whether you have insurance. If you do, it’ll vary based on your insurance coverage and benefits.

In some cases, the cost of these strengths may be the same with insurance, if you have a fixed copay. (A copay describes the portion of a drug’s cost you’ll have to pay.)

On the other hand, if you don’t have insurance, the 25-mg strength may cost more than the 12.5-mg strength. That could be the case if you’re paying out of pocket.

Other factors affecting a drug’s price include your dosage and the pharmacy you use.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like more information about the cost of carvedilol’s strengths.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

Generics vs. brand-names

Carvedilol is a generic medication. The brand-name versions of this drug shown in the table below:

* Extended release means the drug is slowly released into the body over time after you take a dose.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed carvedilol, but you’re interested in taking a brand-name version, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of carvedilol compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

What to ask about carvedilol

This article provides cost information related to carvedilol. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for carvedilol.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Is the cost of the extended-release* capsule version of carvedilol less than that of the tablet version?
• Does Medicare cover the cost of brand-name carvedilol?
• Are there other medications available at a lower cost that can treat my condition?

* Extended release means the drug is slowly released into the body over time after you take a dose.

Resources

• Carvedilol tablets, for oral use. (2023). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/32098c09-7580-4975-a3e1-31b619c04c69/spl-doc
• Carvedilol Phosphate extended-release capsules for oral use. (2022). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e434f355-6f29-4a98-9702-9fc65de2aa26/spl-doc
• Coreg (carvedilol) tablets for oral use. (2017). fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/020297s038lbl.pdf
• Coreg CR (carvedilol phosphate) extended-release capsules for oral use. (2017). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/022012s022lbl.pdf
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.