carvedilol
Brand names: Coreg
Carvedilol is a medicine that lowers blood pressure and helps your heart work better. It belongs to a class of drugs called alpha/beta-blockers.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.02/unit
Generic Available
Yes (11 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Carvedilol treats a few different heart conditions.
Common side effects
Dizziness, Tiredness, Low blood pressure
Key warnings
Do not stop taking carvedilol suddenly if you have heart problems.
How It Works
Carvedilol works by blocking the effects of certain natural chemicals in your body, such as adrenaline. This helps to relax blood vessels and slows down your heart rate. As a result, it lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood.
How to Take It
Take carvedilol with food to help your body absorb it and to avoid feeling dizzy. Your doctor will adjust your dose over time, starting with a low dose. For heart failure, you'll likely start at 3.125 mg twice a day. Your doctor may increase it every 2 weeks to 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, and then 25 mg twice daily, as you tolerate it. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if carvedilol will harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Beta-blockers like carvedilol may cause low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and breathing problems in newborns.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store carvedilol at room temperature (68°F to 77°F) and protect it from moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 63,661 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 130,791 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2003–2025.
Total Reports
130,791
Death-Related Reports
15,919
Hospitalization Reports
53,070
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FATIGUE | 8,669 |
| 2 | DYSPNOEA | 8,178 |
| 3 | DIARRHOEA | 6,867 |
| 4 | DIZZINESS | 6,776 |
| 5 | NAUSEA | 6,492 |
| 6 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 5,676 |
| 7 | DEATH | 5,632 |
| 8 | HYPOTENSION | 5,601 |
| 9 | ASTHENIA | 5,344 |
| 10 | CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE | 4,427 |
| 11 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 4,408 |
| 12 | OFF LABEL USE | 4,392 |
| 13 | PAIN | 4,341 |
| 14 | FALL | 4,335 |
| 15 | HEADACHE | 4,197 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Do not stop taking carvedilol suddenly if you have heart problems. This can make chest pain worse and may cause a heart attack. If you need to stop taking carvedilol, your doctor will slowly lower your dose over 1 to 2 weeks. Carvedilol can also cause your heart rate to slow down too much or lower your blood pressure too much. If your pulse rate drops below 55 beats per minute, talk to your doctor about lowering the dose.
Known Drug Interactions
( 7.1 , 7.5 ) Hypotensive agents (e.g., reserpine, MAO inhibitors, clonidine) may increase the risk of hypotension and/or severe bradycardia. Concomitant administration of clonidine with a β-blocker may cause hypotension and bradycardia. When concomitant treatment with a β-blocker and clonidine is to be terminated, the β-blocker should be discontinued first.
Mechanism: Both drugs lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Taking them together can make these effects too strong, causing a dangerously slow heart or very low blood pressure.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your heart rate and blood pressure. If you need to stop these medicines, follow your doctor's specific order to stop the beta-blocker first.
( 7.8 ) 7.1 CYP2D6 Inhibitors and Poor Metabolizers Interactions of carvedilol with potent inhibitors of CYP2D6 isoenzyme (such as quinidine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and propafenone) have not been studied, but these drugs would be expected to increase blood levels of the R(+) enantiomer of carvedilol [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Mechanism: Fluoxetine blocks the enzyme that normally clears carvedilol from your blood. This can lead to higher levels of carvedilol in your body.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your heart rate and blood pressure closely. They may need to adjust your carvedilol dose.
( 7.8 ) 7.1 CYP2D6 Inhibitors and Poor Metabolizers Interactions of carvedilol with potent inhibitors of CYP2D6 isoenzyme (such as quinidine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and propafenone) have not been studied, but these drugs would be expected to increase blood levels of the R(+) enantiomer of carvedilol [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Mechanism: Paroxetine prevents your body from breaking down carvedilol as it should. This can cause the level of carvedilol in your blood to increase.
What to do: Your healthcare provider may need to adjust your medication levels. Be sure to report any feelings of dizziness or a very slow heartbeat.
( 7.6 ) Verapamil- or diltiazem-type calcium channel blockers may affect ECG and/or blood pressure. 7.7 Calcium Channel Blockers Conduction disturbance (rarely with hemodynamic compromise) has been observed when carvedilol tablet is coadministered with diltiazem. As with other β-blocker, if carvedilol tablet is administered with calcium channel blockers of the verapamil or diltiazem type, it is recommended that ECG and blood pressure be monitored.
Mechanism: Both drugs slow down the heart's electrical signals and lower blood pressure. This can cause the heart to beat too slowly or change its rhythm.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your heart rhythm and blood pressure closely while you are taking both medications.
The concomitant administration of amiodarone or other CYP2C9 inhibitors such as fluconazole with carvedilol may enhance the β-blocking activity, resulting in further slowing of the heart rate or cardiac conduction.
Mechanism: Fluconazole prevents the body from breaking down carvedilol properly. This leads to higher levels of the drug in your system, which can slow your heart rate too much.
What to do: Your doctor may need to watch your heart rate and adjust your medication if it becomes too slow.
Common Questions
Can I drink alcohol while taking carvedilol?
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking carvedilol?
Can carvedilol affect my blood sugar?
How long does it take for carvedilol to start working?
Can I take carvedilol with other medications?
What if I have asthma?
Does carvedilol cause weight gain?
Can carvedilol cause depression?
Is it safe to exercise while taking carvedilol?
What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?
What are the common side effects of carvedilol?
Does carvedilol interact with other medications?
What drug class is carvedilol?
Is carvedilol safe during pregnancy?
Has carvedilol been recalled?
Active Recalls
CGMP Deviations: Presence of a nitrosamine, N-Nitroso Carvedilol I Impurity above the current Acceptable Intake Level.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations: Results for N-Nitroso Carvedilol Impurity-1 (NNCI) impurity observed to be above the FDA-recommended limit of NMT 4.0 ppm
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations: Results for N-Nitroso Carvedilol Impurity-1 (NNCI) impurity observed to be above the FDA-recommended limit of NMT 4.0 ppm
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations; presence 'N-Nitroso Carvedilol I' Impurity above the recommended acceptable intake limit
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations; presence 'N-Nitroso Carvedilol I' Impurity above the recommended acceptable intake limit
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations; presence 'N-Nitroso Carvedilol I' Impurity above the recommended acceptable intake limit
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations; presence 'N-Nitroso Carvedilol I' Impurity above the recommended acceptable intake limit
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations:N-Nitroso Carvedilol I impurity (NNCI-I) were found to be failing per current FDA recommended limit.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations:N-Nitroso Carvedilol I impurity (NNCI-I) were found to be failing per current FDA recommended limit.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
Related Medications in Beta-Blocker (Alpha/Beta)
Other drugs grouped near carvedilol — same-class peers and common alternatives.
adenosine
Adenocard
Adenosine (Adenocard) is a medicine used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats.
Compare with carvedilol →
amiodarone
Cordarone, Pacerone
Amiodarone (Pacerone) is a medicine used to treat life-threatening, irregular heartbeats.
Compare with carvedilol →
atropine
AtroPen
Atropine is a medicine that can temporarily block severe effects on your body.
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bumetanide
Bumex
Bumetanide is a water pill (diuretic).
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digoxin
Lanoxin
Digoxin (Lanoxin) is a medicine that helps your heart pump better.
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
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FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
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Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for carvedilol
The FDA label for carvedilol (sold under brand names such as Coreg) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Beta-Blocker (Alpha/Beta) class. Carvedilol treats a few different heart conditions. Official labeling lists 8 commonly reported side effects, including Dizziness, Tiredness, Low blood pressure.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 63,661 voluntary reports. The database also lists 13 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.02.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 10 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 2, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages