Carvedilol and Lightheadedness: 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."

• gor...
• March 20, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Got severe neck pain the first time I took carvedilol. Now, more than a year after being put on it, I have terrible lightheadedness and gnawing headaches. I also have BP spikes and periods of low BP. Have been trying to get docs to switch medication but one will hand off to another and nothing gets done. NOT a reliable medication. Side effects worse than benefits."

• Rob...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 15, 2019

For Left Ventricular Dysfunction "I was diagnosed 8 years ago with severe dysfunction of the left ventricle with an EF of 26. I was put on carvedilol 8 years ago, and my EF has been steady now at around 46-48, for which I am grateful. However, the side effects I have experienced from 25 mg x2 carvedilol have been horrible, I feel hypotensive and walk around feeling impaired, almost drunkenly. I have asked my doctor if I can reduce it or come off it, but he is reluctant to do this because I have had good heart function. I am going on 65 now, and I really don't enjoy doing much of anything because I am always tired and lightheaded. I am seriously considering cutting it back on my own. This is no way to live, the quality of life from this medication is pretty poor."

• 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!"

• avr...
• October 4, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I was on atenolol for a year, 25 mg PRN for palpitations. Then I felt like crap without it. I started experiencing more palpitations, and the doctor put me on it twice a day. After a bout with ED, I asked to be put on something else, but the doctor didn't budge. I was diagnosed with mild aortic valve regurgitation. A new doctor reluctantly switched me to Coreg 12.5, twice a day. No longer experiencing ED, but it makes my heart rate go from 72 with blood pressure 126/69 at rest to 50 with blood pressure raised to 149/78 with that low a pulse. Horrible bouts of light-headedness, subdermal rashes that won't go away, 50 pounds gained with even more exercise and a closely monitored diet than before, and blood pressure that will not stay regulated. I never had high blood pressure before getting on beta blockers. Stay away unless absolutely necessary!"

• Bal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 10, 2020

For Heart Failure "Carvedilol has saved my life. I can't see any issues with this drug. Before taking it, my EF was between 14-19, now, after years of taking it, my EF ranges between 29-40. In 2004, the docs told me without a transplant for my cardiomyopathy, I had maybe 5 years left. Guess what, 2021 is coming up, and I will be celebrating it with my 2 teen daughters thanks to carvedilol. My one and only side effect is some light-headedness, and that is expected from a beta blocker because it will lower your blood pressure some."

• Zab...
• July 4, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Started this blood pressure medication 5 months ago. One month ago, I started having lightheadedness, and it was getting worse by the day, it seems. I started out at a dose of 6.25 mg twice a day. Blood pressure still rising into the scary high numbers. My putz of a doctor for 18 years said to double the medication. 18 years, and you would think that your doctor would know your usual symptoms or even his patient, right? Wrong! Not mine, it seems, because after reading these reviews here, it seems that the anxiety-through-the-roof symptoms could have been avoided? The side effects of this drug are not worth it. Please, when I tell you this, believe me and others here. (unlike my own doctor) I would go cold turkey, but you cannot do that with dangerously high BP numbers. So, I changed doctors and changed medications too. (Diuretics) But I have to slowly wean off this Carvedilol garbage for about 4 weeks."

• 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

Coreg (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."

• unc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2015

For Atrial Fibrillation "Side effects: lightheadedness and tired."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 22, 2023

For Atrial Fibrillation "I still get at least one episode a week where my heart will race, then skip several beats. I get dizzy and lightheaded."