Carvedilol
CARVEDILOL - ORAL (car-VEDD-ih-lol) COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Coreg USES: This medication is used to treat congestive heart failure or high blood pressure (hypertension). HOW TO TAKE THIS MEDICATION: Exactly as directed by mouth, usually twice a day with food. Do not interrupt or discontinue treatment without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. When used for high blood pressure, the full effect is usually seen in 1 to 2 weeks. If told to stop this medication, it should be discontinued over a 1 to 2 week period. SIDE EFFECTS: Loss of appetite, dizziness, fatigue/drowsiness, headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, muscle/joint aches might occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Report promptly any: rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, ankle or foot swelling. Unlikely but report promptly: unusual bleeding or bruising, very slow heartbeat, large change in amount of urine, any vision changes. Very unlikely but report promptly: yellowing skin or eyes, fainting, cold hands or feet, chest pain, mood/mental problems (including sleep disturbances), decreased sex drive (male), irregular heartbeat, persistent sore throat. Notify your doctor immediately if an allergic reaction occurs while taking this medication, however unlikely. Symptoms include: difficulty breathing, fever, skin rash, hives, itching. Contact lens wearers may develop eye dryness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: Before taking this drug, tell your doctor your entire medical history, including: any allergies (especially drug allergies), history of severe heart failure, asthma, heart or blood vessel disease, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, high thyroid activity, pheochromocytoma, Prinzmetal's chest pain. Limit alcohol intake, as it may enhance certain side effects of this medication. If you experience dizziness or fatigue, use extreme caution if operating machinery or performing hazardous tasks. Stand slowly to minimize the chance of dizziness or fainting. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Caution is advised when this drug is used in the elderly. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may take, especially: reserpine, clonidine, digoxin, rifampin, certain calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem and verapamil), insulin, oral diabetes drugs (e.g., glipizide, glyburide), diuretics (e.g., furosemide), certain anesthetics (e.g., cyclopropane, trichloroethylene), cyclosporine. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include slowed heart rate, dizziness, weakness, and difficulty breathing. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
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