Carvedilol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 10, 2025.

Applies to carvedilol: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to allow for changes in the dose.

This medicine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position suddenly. These symptoms are more likely to occur when you begin taking this medicine, or when the dose is increased. Sitting or lying down may help alleviate these unwanted effects.

Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery or cataract surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine. A serious eye problem called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has occurred in some patients who were taking this medicine or who had recently taken this medicine when they had cataract surgery.

For diabetic patients:

• This medicine may cause changes in blood sugar levels. Also, this medicine may cover up the symptoms of low blood sugar (including fast heartbeat) and increase the risk for serious or prolonged hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Check with your doctor if you notice a change in your normal symptoms or a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests. Call your doctor right away if you have anxiety, blurred vision, chills, cold sweats, coma, confusion, cool, pale skin, depression, dizziness, fast heartbeat, headache, increased hunger, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, seizures, shakiness, slurred speech, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may worsen the symptoms of heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, dilated neck veins, irregular breathing or heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, or weight gain.

For congestive heart failure patients:

• Check with your doctor if you have unexplained weight gain or increased trouble breathing. These may be signs of a worsening of your condition.

For patients who wear contact lenses:

• Carvedilol may cause your eyes to form tears less than they do normally. Check with your doctor if you have dry eyes.

Do not interrupt or Stop taking carvedilol without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping completely. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is stopped suddenly, which can be dangerous.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of carvedilol

Along with its needed effects, carvedilol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking carvedilol:

Other side effects of carvedilol

Some side effects of carvedilol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to carvedilol: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The frequency of adverse reactions is not dose-dependent, with the exception of dizziness, abnormal vision and bradycardia.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Chest pain (15%), hypotension, cardiac failure
• Common (1% to 10%): Bradycardia, edema, hypervolemia, orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, syncope, disturbances of peripheral circulation (e.g., cold extremities, peripheral vascular disease, exacerbation of intermittent claudication, Raynaud's phenomenon)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrioventricular block, angina pectoris, tachycardia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Complete AV block, bundle branch block, myocardial ischemia, cerebrovascular disorder^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic exanthema, dermatitis, urticaria, pruritus, psoriatic and lichen planus like skin lesions, increased sweating, alopecia, erythematous rash, maculopapular rash, photosensitivity reaction
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, melena, periodontitis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, micturition disorders, hematuria
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erectile dysfunction
• Postmarketing reports: Urinary incontinence in women^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Weight increase, hypercholesterolemia, impaired blood glucose control (hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia) in patients with preexisting diabetes, gout, BUN increased, dehydration, hypervolemia^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, purpura, prothrombin decrease
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Leukopenia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) increased^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, and urticaria)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Pain in extremities, back pain, arthralgia, myalgia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, hyperesthesia, vertigo
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Presyncope, syncope, paresthesia,
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Convulsions, migraine, neuralgia, paresis, hypokinesia, neuralgia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Visual impairment, abnormal vision, blurred vision, lacrimation decreased (dry eye), eye irritation^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (24%), asthenia
• Common (1% to 10%): Pain, malaise, fever
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression, depressed mood, somnolence
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sleep disorders, confusion, impaired concentration, abnormal thinking, paranoia, emotional lability, nervousness^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Renal failure and renal function abnormalities (in patients with diffuse vascular disease and/or underlying renal insufficiency), albuminuria^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, pneumonia, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, asthma (in predisposed patients), sinusitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, cough, rales^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Carvedilol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer