Stopping Carvedilol (Coreg): When will the effects wear off?

Hi! My name is Maddie and I can testify that Coreg is a heart failure medication that can destroy a bodies funtion. Coreg came out around 2006-2007. At that time, my cardiologist decided to put me on Coreg. He and his partners were so excited about this new beta blocker. It was going to change the world. However, it almost destroy my life: physically and mentally. Your symtoms concerning your side of effects from this medication is the same side of effects I experienced.

In addition, I was raising 2 children, as you, as a single mother, besides going to radiation treatments each day and physical heart theraphy, at the same time. You see, I was diagnosis with cancer two days after doctors discovered I had cardiomyopathy.

Of course, after being a heart patient since 2005, I have found cardiologist's are not educated enough on the side of effects of heart medications they prescribed and how much to prescribe to a patient. And the best person to go to is your pharmacist, which I did.

He worked with me to back me off the medication to see if my symptoms would regress and they slowly did. It took about two months to really begin to notice the difference. My heart that was beating like a drum, slowly disappeared. Besides fuzziness and light headedness. In 3 months, the depression went away and within 6 months I was beginning to feel human.

The best person to handle this kind of crisis is yourself. We know how our bodies are accepting new medications that doctors prescribed and working with a good pharmacist is someone everyone needs on there heart team , not just a good cardiologist.

Today, I am on Metoprolol and have no side of effects. It took me 10 years to find the right doctor to listen to me and build a great relationship with him. What I found, be direct at your first meeting, like an interview and ask them directly, how much do you know about the side effects of the heart medications you are prescribing and how often do you review those medications.. And finally, reach out to your pharmacist they are a GREAT resource everyone should have in their back pocket. I know, my family practice has a pharmacist on staff which I can call if I have issues with any medications I am taking..its great..

In other words, you have to your own advocate when it comes to your own health, because you know how your body is accepting those medications. And don't be afraid, to walk away and get a second opinion or new Doctor. We only have one life!

In closing, the very best to you and your family, with Gods Warm Blessings, Maddie

Hi, This drug has been a nightmare for me. I will never let another doctor prescribe a Beta Blocker for me. I actually found this blog because I was searching the side effects of weaning off this drug. I have been feeling horrible since July 31 when I had to go to urgent care because I developed an allergic reaction to the BP medicine I had been on for 10 plus years. Just to let you know I have the same symptoms that you have. My right-hand tremors, a break into sweats, my heart is jumping around and unsettled in my chest, the fatigue is horrible, I have vivid dreams and I am praying for these symptoms to go away. It's also hard for me to concentrate to do my job. I have rushed the weaning process because I just can't put this drug in my mouth again. I also learned that Beta Blockers are not the best treatment for African Americans, which I am. I had to request a Calcium Channel Blocker from the cardiologist. I was taking a high dose of the drug twice a day and feeling like a zombie when I awoke in the mornings with blood pressure numbers still uncontrolled and running high. I just pray that when I awaken in the morning I will start to feel normal again. I hope that you feel better soon too. God Bless.

@lmaxj Im so sorry about your plight. I too was on that for many years and i find it interesting it affected you that way. I am curious tho was there any other med changes about the same time? You mentioned vivid dreams and my first thought was when i was quiting smoking and took chantix. The dreams were horrible and i had to stop that drug. But 10 years and no issue then over night it got real bad. I prey you get relief soon.
Blessing
Dana

Hello, I was prescribed many drugs all at the same time and now that I have done more research they were high doses. My primary care physician was throwing everything my way...and I was getting worst and worst: Carvedilol 50MG 2 times a day, Hydrochortiozide 25 mg, Losartan 100 mg, Doxazosin 4 mg, and Hydralazine 25 mg as needed for BP that went above 160/90....and it did go above that number several times a day! If you count that's 6 to 7 pills a day---all day...I was popping pills like eating M&Ms. Then he gave up after I kept calling and referred me to a cardiologist because he could not understand why my body was not responding to the drugs. Well, the reason I was not responding is that they were all the wrong drugs! It's important to get on the computer and try to figure out what these drugs are and how they could affect your body. I Googled the fact that African Americans respond to Calcium Channel Blockers and Ace Inhibitors ... come on!!!! I have been through 3 months of hell because no one seemed to realize this. My former doctor passed away and went to a new doctor. Sad to say, I don't believe he is the doctor for me.

@lmaxj, Yes its true we do need to be or own advocates these days. I learned early on when my PCP prosribed a version of a drug that did not work well with my Heart meds. So now before i take anything prescribed by a doctor that is not my Transplant team i check with them.first before starting. I also listen closly now to my pharmacist, who actually even doctors turn to, about any issues between drugs and im sure to let them know any over the counter drugs and supplements also.
As a now Heart Transplant paient i also found that not all doctors are farmilure with Heart issues so you may ask when you looking for another PCP you may be wise to seek a new doctor. I know its the job of your PCP to be aware of all aspects of your health to ensure they can direct you in the right direction. Sounds like your on the right track to get this taken care of. Ill be interested to hear how it goes with the Cardiologist?
Dana

Hello, I'm hoping to find some understanding, how to better discuss this with my doctor.
Background: I'm 64, 20 years ago I was put on Coreg (generic Carvedilol 12.5 mg 2 x day) and Tevetin by my primary care doctor for high blood pressure. I was otherwise in good health, but battle weigh. About 4-5 years ago no longer able to get Tevetin, the doctor replaced it with Losartan Potassium (50 mg 1xday.) I did well. My heart rate was in the 60s maybe low 70s. Unfortunately this year my doctor passed away. --I scheduled a check up with a Cardiologist because I turned 64 and wanted a consult. We discussed exercise intolerance because I find it harder /slower to walk up hills. He said the Coreg might be 'putting the breaks' on my heart and switched me to Chlorthalidone 25 mg 1x day. I didn't taper off the Coreg, made the change the day after I picked up the prescription

My Problem: I don't feel right, I don't know if I have anxiety, or if I'm feeling the higher heart rate. It's a very uneasy feeling and gets worse from stress or if I dwell on it. I asked the cardiologist and the new family doctor, they both said Coreg was unusual for high blood pressure, the new combination is good. Instructed me to keep checking my BP and heart rate and as long as they are in normal ranges I was ok. (I had a stress test and there are no follow-ups) It's been 1 month, I was feeling a little better last week but its worse in the last 2 days.
What is this feeling? I don't know what triggers it. I'm wondering if I came off Coreg too abruptly and how long it will take to get use to being off it. Thank you for any insights.

Hello @floridawilbur and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm glad that you found this online patient support group. I see that you are wondering if your current problems are related to coming off the Coreg too abruptly. Sometimes, an abrupt change in medication can certainly cause problems.

I would like to invite some other members who have taken this medicine to discuss how they were able to taper, @ashby1947, @wigreenthumb, @predictable, @fireguy8891, @rois4richo, @maddie3211, @latishabritt and @jfperrone.

Can I ask if your doctor gave you a plan for tapering off the Coreg? If so, how many weeks did it take to implement the plan?

Hello. There was no plan to taper off. He said to stop taking the coreg and start the new prescription the next day.

Hi, @floridawilbur. Sorry to hear that you've been left in the lurch by a doctor's switch in hypertension medication away from Carvedilol to Chlorthalidone. I've been on Carvedilol for several years, but almost from the beginning at the same dosage as now (25mg twice a day). So I don't have personal experience with the side effects you mentioned -- and which several dozen Connect members have posted sad experiences with abrupt reduction or termination in the dosage. As a hypertension victim, I've been on over a dozen different medications over the years, Chlorthalidone included, but that diuretic was replaced with a unique potassium-sparing diuretic (Amiloride) when my inherited kidney problem was discovered (they dump potassium and don't reclaim it). I had the good fortune of being referred to a nephrologist by my medical team, and that led to detailed tests of my blood and hormones by an endocrinologist, working with my nephrologist. They figured me out, and their therapy for me was way different from what I was offered by a series of cardiologists. I can't imagine life without a good nephrologist to turn to when my BP wanders off its safe level or a primary care physician who recognizes the role of hormones in hypertension. Perhaps those specialties could be helpful to you as well. Martin

I had an HA 4 years ago and I have a stent placed in LAD. Due to discrepancies with my cardiologist about the medicines I was taking and his insistence on doing a stress test and anticipating the results indicating a possible operation, I decided to go to another hospital for a second opinion.
After a rigorous check-up my new cardiologist recommended (did not order) to discontinue the use of coreg. I told him that I was scared because I had read that it is extremely dangerous. He told me that "there is no scientific evidence that the use of coreg is justified beyond a reasonable time after HA"
Due to the confinement due to COVID-19 and from what I heard about stopping the consumption of Coreg "cold turkey" I continued taking it for a while until I finally got tired of so much fear and uncertainty. I finally stopped taking it more than 6 months ago and apparently everything is fine with me. I am currently taking carvedilol once a day. My blood pressure is stable 117/77 and I have no negative symptoms. My oxygen saturation is stable at 97% with peaks of 98%, rarely less than 96%.
I am not making recommendations, just narrating how it benefited me to leave fear behind and take responsibility for my own health.
Someday I'll tell my full story here. Good luck to all and #Takecare.