Carvedilol and Dizziness: What Users Say

• tir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I absolutely hate this drug - I constantly feel lightheaded and dizzy - doctors put me on this in August of 2018 after a heart attack at age 56. 13 months later, I'm walking using a walker because the 'waves' of vertigo and dizziness can be so severe. After reading the chat thread here of other people's experience with this drug, I am calling my doctor and demanding a review. If the doctor won't make changes, I'll change the doctor."

• tir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I absolutely hate this drug - I constantly feel lightheaded and dizzy - doctors put me on this in August of 2018 after a heart attack at age 56. 13 months later, I'm walking using a walker because the 'waves' of vertigo and dizziness can be so severe. After reading the chat thread here of other people's experience with this drug, I am calling my doctor and demanding a review. If the doctor won't make changes, I'll change the doctor."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 20, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on carvedilol for 6 months, in conjunction with lisinopril, and it has worked well on lowering my blood pressure, where the lisinopril alone was barely fazing it. With no medicines my pressure was running around 200s/120s, on lisinopril alone it was only coming down to 180s/100s. Since being on carvedilol, it runs (in my opinion) almost too low, around 90s to low 100s over 50s. This doesn't bother me so much, but occasionally, and for no reason I determine, it will either spike or plummet. It has been as high as 180/98 and as low as 86/38. THAT was scary. I also have nausea, dizziness upon standing or moving very suddenly, and nearly disabling headaches. I like what it does for my blood pressure, but not how it makes me feel."

• jas...
• April 16, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I'm on carvedilol for my BP, and my side effects are constipation, gas, bloating, dizziness, and tiredness. My doctor said to me to keep taking it! So I changed doctors. I wish I told him you take this poison! Unbelievable. I would rather walk around with high blood pressure than take this garbage!"

• Cli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Had mech valve implanted in aortic position and composite graft in ascending aorta done in April 2019 (to replace 16-year-old tissue valve in the same position). Was put on metoprolol succinate 50mg daily among other drugs for the heart when discharged from the hospital. I was making progress until after week 12 when I had 2 medical emergencies. Long story short - all the symptoms I was experiencing: confusion, dizziness, anxiety, difficulty swallowing, vision issues, so-called 'seizures' - these were resolved when my cardiologist switched me over to Carvedilol 6.25mg 2x a day after trying to reduce my metoprolol dosage. After taking Carvedilol I feel like a new person. I have no more symptoms. I've heard that Carvedilol also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. I don't know. Moral of the story - make sure that your doctor works with you to find medication that suits you. Everybody is different."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "The lowest dose of Carvedilol 2 times per day was effective in lowering my moderately high blood pressure almost immediately (170/90 that shoots higher under stress). However, it has lowered my blood pressure too low when inactive (100/70 ave.). Sometimes when I sit still or wake up from sleep in the middle of the night or in the morning, I have a random moment of anxiety followed by extreme dizziness, disorientation, and nausea that lasts a good period of time, sometimes 2-3 hours. Before I had a stress test & was cleared as 'perfect,' this scared me terribly and my blood pressure would shoot up to 180/100. Sometimes after taking it, I'm drowsy, but I'm exhausted from dealing with this and trying to continue with life. Hoping to get off of it ASAP, effective but horrible side effects."

• Bec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 27, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have had a good experience with Carvedilol. I take it for HBP and a heart condition. At first, a bit of dizziness, but that could have been the other meds causing this. I have fewer head rushes and anxiety. I feel more calm and at ease now."

• Bec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 27, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have had a good experience with Carvedilol. I take it for HBP and a heart condition. At first, a bit of dizziness, but that could have been the other meds causing this. I have fewer head rushes and anxiety. I feel more calm and at ease now."

• Coo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I’ve had just horrible side effects. My blood pressure would spike throughout the day, getting as high as 184/94, which caused lots of anxiety. Trouble sleeping. Arrhythmias throughout the day caused headaches at the top of my head and around the carotid artery. Shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, weakness, and bloody sinuses. At one point, I thought I was going to have a stroke or get kidney disease. It’s been 2 weeks, and some of the symptoms have decreased. I don’t think I want to stay with this product. I hope there’s no damage to my arteries or organs. Time will tell, but I hope the FDA takes this one off the market! I prefer to go back to Metoprolol. It was a lot of praying, day, noon, and night that got me through this!"

• Jel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2019

For Heart Failure "I was taking metoprolol for a couple of years for heart failure and high blood pressure with absolutely no problems. Then my cardiologist left the clinic and the new guy switched me to Carvedilol 25 mg twice a day. Immediately, I suffered shortness of breath, profound weakness, and dizziness to the point where I almost passed out a few times. I demanded to be taken off it and put back on the metoprolol. This was just my experience with Carvedilol and yours may be different. But doctors who think nothing of playing with a patient’s medications for no good reason make me sick."

• Viz...
• April 11, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I was given carvedilol after aneurysm surgery. I understood it to be a temporary therapeutic drug needed to help recover from the surgery trauma to my heart. My surgeon said my heart was otherwise okay. When I got out of the hospital, I experienced major side effects including shaking, anxiety, panic attacks, dizziness, and mental confusion. I told my cardiologist about the side effects, but he said I should continue the carvedilol but cut back the dosage slightly, which did not help. I also told my cardiologist my blood pressure was erratic. After 4 months, I told my cardiologist I would not take carvedilol anymore. He prescribed cardizem along with carvedilol. I took only the cardizem and all side effects went away except panic attacks, but blood pressure stayed high. After explaining the problem to my primary care, she prescribed losartan to take with cardizem, which brought my blood pressure down to the 120/80 range."

• Ack...
• October 3, 2018

Carvedilol for High Blood Pressure "Ok, been on this since my valve repair in June. Stabilized now at 2 pills 2 x daily, 12.5 mg. Since I left the hospital, I noticed my BP had been rising up to 150/101, some days higher. I was following the directions. Dr. recently also put me on Lisinopril. I went off that after 2 weeks due to a bad experience. Medication's instructions on the label were to take with food. When I was in the hospital, they were waking me at 4 am and giving me this on an empty stomach, and BP hovered around 120/85. So, ok, why not try that. Bingo, back to corrected levels similar to when hospitalized range. This effect lasts for about 9 hours, so adjusted my dose times. Just remember this is for me, and it is recommended to be taken with food so you don't get the medication working too quickly, which can cause dizziness, etc., for people."

• Ang...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 2, 2018

Carvedilol for Heart Failure "Coreg (Carvedilol) saved my life for 2.9 years then one day my defibrillator activated & sent me into a blackout in my bathtub. After a device check reading of 325 beats per min., a heart cath & no other findings at the hospital, the Coreg got the blame, they changed me to Metoprolol, wrong. Coreg kept me active, happy & gave me my life back. Sure there are side effects but they don't last long, I could function daily. With Metoprolol, gained weight, stayed very fatigued & developed vertigo. Finally, I had a move & got another cardiologist. I told him my wish was to go back to Coreg & explained why I was taken off this med, now, I'm back on Coreg. I know beta blockers are not all kosher but NEVER EVER go off meds w/o your doctor's knowledge. Also, lost my hubby to a basilar artery stroke 10 days before his 30-year retirement due to his belief in no meds. Don't do it! It may be your life you save. Always talk with the doctor & you always have the right to a 2nd doctor's advice."

• Met...
• April 29, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was on Bystolic for several years with no side effects. BCBS stopped paying so I had to go on Coreg. This is a horrible drug. It causes me to be disoriented, dizzy, lightheaded, and nauseous. I feel bad all the time!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2014

Carvedilol for Heart Failure "I had an EF of 12 - no cause or history of heart disease. My doctor put me on Coreg along with other meds and 6 months later, my EF is 55-60. I have some side effects from the Coreg, mainly some weakness and occasionally some dizziness, but it is nothing compared to being in heart failure. Very thankful my doc prescribed this med."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

For Heart Failure "I have been diagnosed with CHF in April 2019. Nobody knows the reason since I don’t have a history. I never drink alcohol, never smoke, never use drugs. I have very low BP, around 100. I am 43 years old. I was very active, running 2 miles in 18 minutes daily. In April, my heart EF was 15%. The doctor put me on carvedilol 3.125 mg twice a day for one month, then doubled the dose. I suffered a lot from dizziness and shortness of breath, I almost passed out. The doctor said that’s all for my benefit. I continued my workout, I improved a lot. I am now able to do 2 miles in 25 minutes. In July 2019, I had an ECHO to evaluate the progress, then the doctor was disappointed that my heart still had 15% EF. But I feel good..."

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 1, 2015

For Left Ventricular Dysfunction "This is a tough med to start. But after a few weeks, I got adjusted and titrated up to the right dose. My EF was close to 35% when I started it. When I began taking this drug, I would get dizzy, which would instill panic episodes in me. But I stuck with it, and my EF is 55% now. I now don't even notice the Coreg unless I forget it. And when I do forget it, I get a little jittery. It's a miracle drug. Tough to start but worth the result."

• Mal...
• December 13, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "My high blood pressure started getting bad in the last year. Dr. tried 2 different meds and they almost killed me. But I was desperate to feel better and tried again. Dr. gave me carvedilol 6.25 mg BID. The first dose made me dizzy for about 45 min. The 2nd dose did nothing! The next day, nothing again. Still felt weak, shaky, dizzy, ED, no motivation, sleeping way too much. Day 3 (without doctor's permission), I doubled the dose to 12.5 mg BID (twice daily). And wow, BP dropped from 185/112 to 124/78 after one hour, and I feel like I'm 35 again-happy, strong, active, and my girlfriend is very happy if you know what I mean. Dizziness is gone, and so far (1 month), I have not noticed any side effects. It really helped me!"

• bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "Taking carvedilol for 8 weeks now. Started off fine and seemed like it was the answer. Now, extreme tiredness, dizzy spells, nausea, and episodes of low blood pressure and heart rate. Depression is just an added bonus side effect. Ready to throw all meds in the garbage and roll the dice. 68 yrs old."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Started on carvedilol 6.25 mg 3 weeks ago. Have had serious issues with dizziness, nausea, and severe pressure in the back of my head and neck. When I am lying down, the pressure is not as bad, but if I am trying to read anything, the pressure gets severe."

• RBr...
• January 12, 2018

Carvedilol for Heart Failure "I had a mitral valve repair and my EF dropped to 30. I was put on Coreg for 6 months, and I experienced periods of dizziness and muscle pain. I worked out and played tennis 3 times a week-surprising my doctor. I had no problems, but my EF never improved above the 30-35 range. Since Coreg's main purpose seems to be to lower blood pressure, I am not sure why they insisted I go on it for low EF. I started taking CoQ10 and no Coreg, and now my EF has improved to 40 and I felt better and had no dizziness. I don't believe that Coreg actually helps with EF. I think the studies were flawed to prove something that is not true."

• Ree...
• June 15, 2021

For Heart Failure "I was diagnosed with CHF and EF less than 35% in March 2021. 3.25 mg of carvedilol twice a day, doubling dosage every two weeks until 25 mg 2x a day was reached. Immediately starting this medication, I felt like my heart was getting worse. I had read the side effects, and I waited for my side effects to calm down. They didn't, they got worse, with a good day tucked in here and there. The pain in my upper legs was unbearable and constant chest pains, the feeling of disconnect with my surroundings, constant fighting off dizzy spells and weakness. I went from doing handyman work up a ladder all day in January to barely able to get out of bed by the end of May. My blood glucose levels went completely nuts. Beware of this med. I felt trapped, and I was told I had to take it to help my heart, but then felt as if it was really bad for me, making me worse than I was. It made me completely nonfunctional in a matter of months. I felt so much better in a matter of hours after discontinuing its use."

• EMT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "I am 24 years old. I was put on Coreg following quadruple bypass after sudden cardiac arrest. For the first month or so, I felt amazing, I even went back to work on the ambulance at my 6-week mark. But then, I started having very bad dizzy spells and sudden spikes and drops in BP. I was readmitted to the hospital, and they could not find anything. I saw an ENT for possible vertigo. Finally, four days ago, my PCP told me to stop the Coreg, and for the most part, I'm feeling better. I haven't had a dizzy spell in those four days, but I still haven't felt 'right', I've been weak and lightheaded. Hopefully, in the next few days, I can tell a major difference."

• Til...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2019

For Heart Failure "Dr. put me on carvedilol a few weeks ago. It's the worst thing I've ever taken. It causes dizziness, lightheadedness, and I think insomnia. I'm going to another Dr. at the end of the week to see if she will take me off it."

• Twi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 12, 2023

Carvedilol for Heart Failure "I was diagnosed with heart failure in 2010. I took Coreg at first, but I would become dizzy and light-headed. I was then put on Carvedilol 10 mg twice a day and had the same symptoms. I changed to time-released capsules: 2 x 20 mg capsules in the morning, and I’m no longer lightheaded."