Anyone here take Coreg (Carvedilol)

saluki

I could use some info here.  My PCP prescribed it for me yesterday because my BP is so high in spite of taking 40mg of lisinopril and also taking Catapress.  I cant take diuretics bucause of a sulfa allergy.

My big concern is that I read it can elevate the liver enzymes.  My Alkaline Phosphatase is already high enough in my labs last week that if it rises much more it will be in multiples. 

Does anyone have any experience with this med and its effects on labs?

Also anything else I should watch out for---I also read it packs on the pounds..........

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Susie

jerseymaria

hi susie, i answered your post earlier but i guess i forgot to hit submit. duh!!

i don't take this med but my hub has for a couple of years.  his liver enyzmes are always normal. he has packed on lbs but he loves his donuts and chips.  good luck, maria

otter

Susie, I've taken Coreg, or more recently the generic version (carvedilol), for more than 5 years.  My PCP checks my liver enzymes every 6 months because I'm also on a statin for cholesterol.  My onco also checked my liver enzymes a couple of times this past year because of chemo and now Arimidex.

The only time my liver enzymes were ever "high" was one measurement of one enzyme that was barely above the upper limit of normal, and that was a year before going on Coreg.  I do need to note that my dose of Coreg is really low--I'm only taking 6.25 mg twice a day.  That's below the usual dose for treating hypertension, but it works for mine.

otter 

saluki

Thanks Maria and Otter,

I've been avoiding getting it filled but my oncologist was adamant about me seeing my PCP to get control of my BP.  I get the labs drawn every three months.  My liver enzymes were high even before my diagnosis, so they keep a close eye on them and I get LFT's every three months and get the ultrasound and CAT scans when they climb too much.

I have hemangeoma's on the liver which are benign but the radiologist told me his report will always have to read that they can't rule out a solitary metastasis.---I know its CYA but it makes me crazed.

I'm always panicked till I get the LFT's back----

Last week two days after I had my blood drawn I got a call from Oncology-----Don't ya know just hearing it was their office the room went black!    Turned out they were just calling to move my Zometa appointment to later in the day.

Good to know that the Coreg did not raise the LFT's.  I'll go fill the prescription.  Thank you both!

By the way Otter --they are starting me at 3.125 mg twice daily. 

Susie

jerseymaria

my hub is also on 3.125 BID.  he has low bp due to neurological damage.  he takes it because it also helps the heart to beat more effectively.