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← Return to Stopping Carvedilol (Coreg): When will the effects wear off?
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Stopping Carvedilol (Coreg): When will the effects wear off?
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Aug 21 10:21pm | Replies (387)Comment receiving replies
I was on Coreg for hypertension, Coreg 40 CR. I switched to short acting due to cost.$300 a month versus a few dollars. The first dose of 25 mg bid knocked out my pressure and heart rate. Cut it to 12.5 id, still had a multitude of problems. tried 6.25 twice a day. I had a syncopal episode and woke up on floor between bathroom cabinet. Hit so hard, bent my earrings. LOL I weaned own down to 6,25 a day etc. Then stopped. After being off for over a week the doctor decided to start 6.25 bid for some breakthrough sinus tach that I get. First dose I had weird feelings, skin on fire, overall feeling not well. I took Benadryl ( I had been in hospital , thought maybe soap etc). The next morning I took the dose within 3 hours I was on fire, felt like I had needles all over my body, my hands were like ice, I was freeing and shaking. Completely washed out and exhausted. I called the cardiology dept, said to hold dose for 3 days. as time went on a little less symptoms, but next morning still incredibly weak, had to have help to walk. Over all feeling of impending doom. Went to cardiology, had holter, etc etc, Doctor wanted to restart at lesser dose, I said not. Of course since my symptoms were vague some looked at me as iff I were nuts. After reading the post here, I realize I even had issues while on the CR. I am so grateful to have found this site. I really feel one more dose and id of been toast. Glad to have my nursing knowledge, especially in critical care. As a very wise, cardiologist once told me " listen to your patient, even if the book doesn't have it written. Listen carefully"
FGFMSN
Replies to "I was on Coreg for hypertension, Coreg 40 CR. I switched to short acting due to..."
Why not make the switch in the Doc who cares for your heart? There are many out there who do not prescribe that amount. Carvedilol is a tricky drug that can help. It caused my migraines to get under control. Have endured only 4 over the last 2 years. Could not figure out which drug was stopping them and when I tried to go off the stuff they returned, BUT I think it was the manner in which I had tried. I got some advise on this board about doing a much slower wean off and am trying that approach.
My dose has always been the smallest, 3.125 Mg 2X daily. I talked to the Neurologist about the migraines and she told me I would only be able to switch to Metoprolol, which is an even more evil drug, due to my heart condition. So... with the consent and support of my Cardiologist, I am now reducing the Carvedilol one dose per week, so each week I skip one more dose. Will see how it goes over the next 12 weeks.
I see a good cardiologist. This was over about a 3 week period. Family doc was out of town etc.
FGFMSN
Years I was on the Coreg CR. for years.
FGFMSN
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Really sorry to hear about your misadventures with Coreg, @fgfmsn. I'd be scared if I went through all of that.
But right now, I'll suggest that you find a competent cardiologist for your future treatment. According to the FDA, initial dosage of Coreg should be not more than 6.25mg twice a day. Had you started on 40mg CR? Moreover, you should never abruptly cut back or terminate use of the drug; your doctors should always phase it down over time -- as much as three weeks on lower doses up to three months on heavy doses. These standard practices are published as strong recommendations of the FDA. Did your cardiologist follow these rules even a little bit?