Carvedilol

[chipsviccars]

I'm taking Bisoprolol and Ramipril while I await a second cardioversion and CT scan of coronary arteries and I'm having breathing problems on the slightest exertion and generally feeling ill much of the time. I've now been offered Carvedilol (with the usual list of contraindications) instead of Bisoprolol. Has anyone had good or bad experience of Carvedolol, please?

[etheral]

I have been taking carvedilol 12.5mg twice daily for several years. No major side effects.. I have been in NSR with a rate of 60 to 90 during

this time. Myafib was treated with Dofetilide.

[Suzy1954]

I tried Carvedilol after not getting on well with Bisoprolol. After about a week I started getting chest pains. GP said that can sometimes happen and put me on Atenolol with no probs. Good luck.

[Auriculaire]

You could ask to try Nebivolol. Many posters here who have changed to it find it better than Bisoproplol including myself.

[cassie46]

I was on Bisoprolol for several years and I was progressively getting more breathless (I do have mild COPD). I found that several people on here had changed to Nebivolol (it is recommended for people with asthma and lung problems) so I asked my cardiologist on my yearly visit nearly two years ago to change me to Nebivolol. Gave him the reasons why I wanted to change.

He looked up his book of drugs and gave me a prescription for Carvedilol, I was not happy. When I got the prescription on the back of the box there is a clear warning -Do not take this medicine if you have history of wheezing due to asthma or other lung issues - I was not well pleased and did not take them.

I eventually persuaded my GP to change to Nebivolol and my breathlessness is almost gone. I also feel less tired and more alert on it. I would try and get put onto Nebivolol - best of luck.

Cassie

[akenclark]

I switched to Carvedilol for a year or so when I was having bad side effects (suicidal depression, constant exhaustion) from Metropolol . That switch helped a lot, but I went back after we found my case was complicated by severe anemia which was treated with iron infusions. I have been okay-not great-with Metropolol ever since. The main reason for going back is that M has a 24 hour version at generic prices while the 24 hour version of C was hellishly expensive and my drug plan refused coverage.

I am not sure how helpful this may be to your situation. You should know I am posting this in response to an email from Healthunlocked requesting a comment.

regards and good luck!

[chipsviccars in reply to akenclark]

Thanks for that. I'm now two days in and have a review with the GP in a few days. We shall see. . . .

[Amcech]

I've been taking carvedilol 12.5 mg twice per day for 2 years. My EP started me on it after my ejection fraction went down to 40. He said carvedilol helps to strengthen the heart by slowing down the heart rate. My heart rate is usually in the 60-70 range. When I go into afib, it keeps my rate under 100, usually in the 80's. he did start me on 3.125 twice/day and increased to 6.25 twice per day when my rate went above 110 in afib, then increased to 12.5 and it's worked ever since. No real side effects, except for slight dizziness if I don't take it with food, but not bad dizziness.

[Amcech]

Oh and my ejection fraction is now 57 and my severely enlarged left atrium shrunk to borderline after 2 years on carvedilol and 18 months on flecanaide.