Carvedilol
(Redirected from Coreg)
| Drug monograph · NCLEX study reference | |
| Trade names | Coreg |
|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Heart failure agent, antihypertensive |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonselective beta blocker with alpha-1 blockade |
| Onset / peak / duration | Onset 1 to 2 hours; ER lasts 24 hours. |
| Half-life / level | Half-life 7 to 10 hours; no routine level. |
| Routes | PO (oral) |
| High-alert (ISMP) | No |
| Black box warning | None |
| Antidote / reversal | Atropine, glucagon for refractory overdose. |
| Pregnancy / lactation | Use only if benefit outweighs risk. |
Nursing pharmacology study reference (NCLEX-style monograph). Numeric values are standard teaching ranges for study and must be verified against current manufacturer labeling before clinical use. This is educational content, not prescribing guidance.
Carvedilol (brand name Coreg) — Heart failure agent, antihypertensive; Nonselective beta blocker with alpha-1 blockade.
Identification
- Therapeutic class: Heart failure agent, antihypertensive.
- Pharmacologic class: Nonselective beta blocker with alpha-1 blockade.
Pharmacology
- Mechanism of action: Blocks beta-1, beta-2, and alpha-1 receptors, reducing heart rate, blood pressure, and afterload; improves survival in heart failure.
- Onset / peak / duration: Onset 1 to 2 hours; ER lasts 24 hours.
- Half-life / therapeutic level: Half-life 7 to 10 hours; no routine level.
Clinical use
- Indications: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, hypertension, post-MI left ventricular dysfunction.
- Usual dose, route, frequency: 3.125 to 25 mg PO twice daily (immediate-release), titrated; ER once daily.
- Maximum dose / adjustments: Up to 50 mg/day (or 80 mg ER); take with food to slow absorption and reduce hypotension.
Safety
- Contraindications: Decompensated heart failure, severe bradycardia, heart block, severe hepatic impairment, bronchial asthma.
- Black box warning: No formal box; warning against abrupt discontinuation.
- Interactions: Calcium channel blockers, digoxin (raises levels), other antihypertensives, insulin.
- Pregnancy / lactation: Use only if benefit outweighs risk.
- High-alert: No.
Adverse effects
- Common side effects: Dizziness, fatigue, bradycardia, hypotension.
- Serious effects to report: Worsening heart failure, symptomatic bradycardia, bronchospasm.
- Antidote / reversal: Atropine, glucagon for refractory overdose.
Nursing process
- Assessment before administration: Heart rate, blood pressure, weight, heart failure status.
- Interventions during therapy: Take with food; titrate slowly; daily weights for heart failure.
- Monitor: Heart rate, blood pressure, weight, heart failure symptoms, glucose in diabetics.
- Evaluation / expected outcome: Improved heart failure survival and symptoms.
Patient teaching
- Patient teaching: Take with food; rise slowly; never stop abruptly.
- Notify provider if: Weight gain, worsening breathlessness, very slow heartbeat, fainting.
- Administration tips: With food; swallow ER whole.