Generic Name: Coreg (carvedilol)
For Heart Failure "I participated in the blind study at University Hospital in Denver, CO in the '90s. EF was 12% - was given 6 months to live in 1992 at 24 years old, with a 6-month-old daughter. I must have gotten the actual medicine in the trial. I was glad to participate and was excited when FDA approved Coreg. I had gotten to over 400 lbs. Now, 22 years later, my EF is 52%, weight 165, hold a B.S. and M.S. degree, working on a Ph.D., and watching my daughter do wonderful things. I'm grateful for Coreg and my awesome cardiac and PCP team."
For High Blood Pressure "Ok, been on this since my valve repair in June. Stabilized now at 2 pills 2 x daily, 12.5 mg. Since I left the hospital, I noticed my BP had been rising up to 150/101, some days higher. I was following the directions. Dr. recently also put me on Lisinopril. I went off that after 2 weeks due to a bad experience. Medication's instructions on the label were to take with food. When I was in the hospital, they were waking me at 4 am and giving me this on an empty stomach, and BP hovered around 120/85. So, ok, why not try that. Bingo, back to corrected levels similar to when hospitalized range. This effect lasts for about 9 hours, so adjusted my dose times. Just remember this is for me, and it is recommended to be taken with food so you don't get the medication working too quickly, which can cause dizziness, etc., for people."
For Heart Failure "Coreg (Carvedilol) saved my life for 2.9 years then one day my defibrillator activated & sent me into a blackout in my bathtub. After a device check reading of 325 beats per min., a heart cath & no other findings at the hospital, the Coreg got the blame, they changed me to Metoprolol, wrong. Coreg kept me active, happy & gave me my life back. Sure there are side effects but they don't last long, I could function daily. With Metoprolol, gained weight, stayed very fatigued & developed vertigo. Finally, I had a move & got another cardiologist. I told him my wish was to go back to Coreg & explained why I was taken off this med, now, I'm back on Coreg. I know beta blockers are not all kosher but NEVER EVER go off meds w/o your doctor's knowledge. Also, lost my hubby to a basilar artery stroke 10 days before his 30-year retirement due to his belief in no meds. Don't do it! It may be your life you save. Always talk with the doctor & you always have the right to a 2nd doctor's advice."
For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking this since my heart attack in March 2010. I have had leg muscle issues (pain) since the beginning. My doctor seems to think the benefit is greater than the pain. I disagree and am about to stop it no matter what my doctor says."
For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Cozaar 50 mg a day combined with Coreg 25 mg 2x daily for about 10 years. My blood pressure was 200/120. About 2 years ago Coreg CR 20mg replaced the Coreg daily. This regimen slowly reduced my BP to 100/60. This BP was too low so I stopped the Coreg CR completely. I am now on Cozaar 50 mg 1 per day and my BP is averaging 125/60-70."
For Heart Failure "Coreg worked fine for me at 12.5 mg twice a day. However, as a former smoker, when my physician increased the dosage to 25 mg 2x a day, I had trouble breathing, walking, and my feet swelled up. Coreg should be kept at a minimal dose if the patient has an underlying lung problem. My physician had to stop the drug completely."
For Heart Failure "I was hospitalized 3 years ago for Congestive Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation with an EF of 20%. After a 17-day hospital stay and an ablation, I was sent home with many meds, including Coreg. I started at the lowest dosage and slowly got to tolerate my current dosage of 12.5 mg 2x a day. My current EF is 45% and I believe Coreg continues to save my life every day."
For Heart Failure "Works well for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), however, I started using it years ago and we have discovered that Coreg may cause painful peripheral neuropathy. I am not diabetic but have developed the neuropathy, and the only guess from doctors is that it was caused by the Coreg."
For Heart Failure "I had an EF of 12 - no cause or history of heart disease. My doctor put me on Coreg along with other meds and 6 months later, my EF is 55-60. I have some side effects from the Coreg, mainly some weakness and occasionally some dizziness, but it is nothing compared to being in heart failure. Very thankful my doc prescribed this med."
For Heart Failure "Started living with congestive heart failure caused by a virus in 1996. Started on Coreg in 2001 when EF hit 15. Went back up to 41 within a few months and remains at that level. I am now 68. I'm sure I wouldn't be here if it were not for this medicine. Don't seem to have side effects."
For Left Ventricular Dysfunction "I am 91 and have congestive heart failure. (I also fell and broke the femur articulation with my hip in late March). My doctor gave me this medicine, Coreg, and it took away the swelling in my feet, ankles, legs, and knees. I was having such pain in my knees, and the drug, along with other medicines I take, has gotten the fluid out of my system, and my knees no longer ache. This medicine has really improved my life."
For High Blood Pressure "I'm now taking carvedilol 25 mg/2X after going through a 1/2 dozen other meds. It seems to stabilize my BP at 120-70, but all the beta blockers seem to cause side effects. On this drug, I have terrible itching, difficulty swallowing, and sneezing. The first side effect may be coming from something else and is under review. The middle one may also be coming from something else too, but I see 'tracheal restriction' as one of the side effects. The sneezing is 4-6 times per day. Years back, I was on another drug that caused all kinds of problems, and my kidneys were discovered to have been damaged. Again, how do you know where these things come from? I wish I could get off these meds with some OTC treatments. I've tried beet juice and was in a trial on that awful tasting juice, but it's easier as a pill."
For Heart Failure "I had a mitral valve repair and my EF dropped to 30. I was put on Coreg for 6 months, and I experienced periods of dizziness and muscle pain. I worked out and played tennis 3 times a week-surprising my doctor. I had no problems, but my EF never improved above the 30-35 range. Since Coreg's main purpose seems to be to lower blood pressure, I am not sure why they insisted I go on it for low EF. I started taking CoQ10 and no Coreg, and now my EF has improved to 40 and I felt better and had no dizziness. I don't believe that Coreg actually helps with EF. I think the studies were flawed to prove something that is not true."
For Heart Failure "I had a viral infection of the back wall of my heart. In Feb 2007, my EF was 20%, and I was throwing PVCs like crazy. My cardiologist started me on Coreg (carvedilol) but could not tolerate a dose higher than 3.125 mg, and he also started me on Vasotec (enalapril), and again, I could not tolerate a dose higher than 2.5 mg. In fact, I take my blood pressure before every dose (2x daily), and if it is less than 130, I do not take the Vasotec. By June 2007, my EF was 68%, and only the occasional PVC these days. Coreg and Vasotec continue to work very well and have saved my life!"
For High Blood Pressure "I experienced extreme depression after I started this medication at 25mg per day. I never had depression before. Doctor said it would go away. It did not and I demanded that a different medication be prescribed. Depression is an unacceptable side effect."
For Left Ventricular Dysfunction "My heart rate was speeding up to the point I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. It was more a problem at night when I would try to go to sleep. The heart was pounding, and a wave of pressure in my ears was keeping me from sleeping. I started medicine 3.125 mg twice daily, and the problem was in good control within one week. I have a blockage on the left side, 30 to 40%. No problems since I started the medicine. Blood pressure is in real good control. I continue EKG every 6 months."
For Heart Failure "In June 07 at age 47, to my doctor's disbelief, I was on life support and confirmed to have congestive heart failure. After trials for weeks on different medicines, my doctor asked me to try Coreg with my Lasix. Boy, was I thankful. Today, 6 months later, I am 2804 miles from home, living a very normal and happy life."
For Left Ventricular Dysfunction "My LVEF was about 20 when I started on Coreg following a massive heart attack. I have used Coreg since it first came on the market. I take 100 mg daily with no side effects. My LVEF is now between 30 and 35. My heart attack was 21 years ago. Coreg has been a 'silver bullet' for me."
For High Blood Pressure "This medicine had no effect on my HBP. I previously took Lisinopril, but needed to change medicines for another reason. My BP went very high (160/110) even after taking this medicine for 7 days, and I had to be changed to another medicine."
For Heart Failure "After getting sepsis from UTI, I ended up with heart failure at 35-40%. I was initially put on Coreg at 3.125 and doing well. Hope to have another echo soon and see how much I have improved in the last 3 months. No other meds with it. I am so, so much better. Almost back to 100% activity."
For Heart Failure "Had a heart attack in June 2003 - after 8 days in the hospital, a doctor put me on Coreg, and I am still alive and living well and feel good. I am on other drugs as well, however, I believe in Coreg, the results have been great."
For Heart Failure "I reacted immediately when Coreg was given to me in the hospital. Such bad diarrhea that I was kept an extra day to be sure I didn't have CDIF. Cardiologist was reluctant to lower the dosage, but daily issues continued. I asked to be switched to a half-dose of metoprolol, although in the past it had started to cause mild hallucinations after 5-1/2 months. Cardiologist insisted I take a full dose, which led to severe hallucinations and a bad fall in which I broke a vertebra in my spine after less than 3 months. I reported the problem to the cardiologist's office but received no response. Found a new cardiologist."
For Heart Failure "I was diagnosed with heart failure in 2010 I took coreg. At first but I would become dizzy and light-headed. I was then put on Carvedilol 10 mg twice a day and had the same symptoms. I changed to time-released capsules 2 x 20mg capsules in the morning and I’m no longer lightheaded."
"I had an 80% heart block and had a stent put in. I was placed on 6.25mg of Coreg a day. I felt great the day after the stent. Once home I continued medication as told. Each day I felt worse than the day before. By day seven I had no energy my hands were numb and blotchy, I had chest and shoulder pain, shortness of breath, and depression. I called the doctor and he said I could stop it. The next day I felt three times better. I hope it continues to improve."
For High Blood Pressure "After only a few weeks, this medicine has caused debilitating joint pain in my ankles, knees, wrists, and hips. I find it difficult to even get out of bed or feed myself on this medicine."
