Coreg

This medicine is an alpha- and nonselective beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. This medicine is also used after a heart attack to improve survival.

Coreg works by relaxing the blood vessels, slowing down the heart, and decreasing the amount of blood it pumps out. This decreases blood pressure, helps the heart pump more efficiently, and reduces the workload on the heart.

It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Before using

Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking amiodarone, barbiturates, birth control pills, cimetidine, cyclosporine, decongestants, disopyramide, flecainide, hydralazine, indomethacin, insulin, mefloquine, nateglinide, phenothiazines, prazosin, quinidine, repaglinide, rifampin, verapamil, medicine for asthma, medicine for diabetes, or medicine for thyroid conditions.

Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including low heart rate, certain lung problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, certain types uncontrolled congestive heart failure, liver problems, diabetes, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.

Use of this medicine is not recommended if you have a history of extremely low heart rate, heart block, shock caused by heart failure, serious liver disease, or asthma. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Do not use Coreg

• If you are allergic to any ingredient in Coreg
• If you have moderate to severe heart block, sick sinus syndrome, very slow heartbeat (unless you have a permanent pacemaker), certain types of irregular heartbeat or severe heart failure, or shock caused by serious heart problems
• If you have asthma or other severe breathing problems
• If you have severe liver problems
• If you are taking mibefradil

Precautions

Do not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects.

Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are taking this medicine. Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine.

Before taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicines used to treat colds or congestion. If your doctor has instructed you to check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly, be sure to do so. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure how to accurately measure your blood pressure or heart rate.

For women: if you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is unknown if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood glucose levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take this medicine with food. Store this medicine at room temperature below 86 degrees f (30 degrees c), away from heat, moisture, and light. Take this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time(s) each day will help you to remember.

Continue to take this medicine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Coreg side effects

Side effects, that may occur while taking this medicine include slow heartbeat, diarrhea, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness or trouble sleeping, unusual tiredness or weakness, dry eyes (especially if you wear contact lenses), or a change in vision. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor immediately if you experience very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, unusual bruising or bleeding, increased thirst, increased urination, or bluish discoloration of hands or feet.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of worsening heart failure such as shortness of breath, cough, swelling, or unusual weight gain.

An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

If you take too much (Coreg overdose)

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include very slow heart rate, severe dizziness, fainting, weakness, and difficult or slowed breathing.

Additional information about Coreg

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions.

Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

Coreg may cause dizziness, fainting, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Coreg with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Coreg may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may occur within the first hour after you take your dose. They may be more likely when you start taking Coreg or if your dose is increased. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. Tell your doctor if these effects occur.

Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.

Do not suddenly stop taking Coreg. Sharp chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur if you suddenly stop Coreg. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over several weeks if you need to stop taking it. This should be done even if you only take Coreg for high blood pressure. Heart disease is common and you may not know you have it. Limit physical activity while you are lowering your dose. If new or worsened chest pain or other heart problems occur, contact your doctor right away. You may need to start taking Coreg again.

Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Coreg before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

If you have a history of any severe allergic reaction, talk with your doctor. You may be at risk for an even more severe allergic reaction if you come into contact with the substance that caused your allergy. Some medicines used to treat severe allergies may also not work as well while you are using Coreg.

Diabetes patients - Coreg may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Diabetes patients - Coreg may hide signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Lab tests, including blood pressure and heart function, may be performed while you use Coreg . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Use Coreg with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.

Coreg should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Coreg while you are pregnant. It is not known if Coreg is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Coreg.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.