Carvedilol helps to keep your blood pressure under control.
It is also used to treat angina pectoris (chest pain) and heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood).
This medicine may also be used to reduce the risk of complications after a heart attack.
Carvedilol may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Carvedilol exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take this medicine with food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the dose and course of the treatment depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Carvedilol must be taken regularly for it to work well. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor, as stopping it suddenly could worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- severe heart failure with fluid retention (swelling) and requiring intravenous medications
- asthma, bronchospasm (breathing distress caused by narrowing of the airways), or other lung disease
- heart block with no pacemaker (artificial device for regulating heartbeat)
- severely slow heartbeat
- abnormal heart rhythms
- untreated phaeochromocytoma (a tumour of the adrenal gland)
- severe liver disease
as Carvedilol may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- other heart disease
- low blood pressure
- Prinzmetal’s angina (a rare type of chest pain that occurs when a person is at rest)
- diabetes
- thyroid disease
- poor circulation of blood to the arms and legs
- psoriasis (a type of skin disease that is caused by itchy patches of thick, red skin and silvery scales)
- kidney disease
- mild to moderate liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are going for an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, always inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Carvedilol.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Carvedilol to an elderly person. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. You may need to have certain tests (e.g. routine monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, liver and kidney function, blood glucose in diabetics) while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you how often you need to have these tests.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity (e.g. walking) at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to kick your smoking habit.
Try to keep stress levels under control as stress will cause your blood pressure to go up.
Carvedilol may cause loss of consciousness or dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach pain, tiredness, weight gain, dry eye, eye irritation, and joint pain.
Carvedilol may also cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Some side effects may be serious, although they are not common. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience:
- rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes
- slow or irregular heartbeat- severe dizziness, fainting or passing out
- swelling of legs, ankles or feet due to fluid build up
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease e.g. amiodarone, verapamil, digoxin
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin
- medicines to treat depression e.g. fluoxetine
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. phenothiazine
- medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin
- medicine for TB (infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin
- medicine to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole
- medicine for migraine e.g. ergotamine
- medicine to reduce stomach acid e.g. cimetidine
- medicine to treat hyperactivity disorders e.g. guanfacine
- other medicines used for high blood pressure e.g. methyldopa, reserpine
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Carvedilol.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
