Corgard

Corgard is a prescription medication used to used to treat high blood pressure. It is also used in the long-term management of angina (chest pain). Corgard belongs to a group of drugs called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken typically once a day, with or without food.

Common side effects of Corgard include tiredness, slow heart rate, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Corgard affects you.

Corgard is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure. It is also used to prevent angina (chest pain).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated

• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your kidney function

The recommended dose range of Corgard for the treatment of angina and high blood pressure is 40 or 80 mg/day.

Exacerbation of Ischemic Heart Disease Following Abrupt Withdrawal

Hypersensitivity to catecholamines has been observed in patients withdrawn from beta-blocker therapy; exacerbation of angina and, in some cases, myocardial infarction have occurred after abrupt discontinuation of such therapy. When discontinuing chronically administered Corgard, particularly in patients with ischemic heart disease, the dosage should be gradually reduced over a period of one to two weeks and the patient should be carefully monitored. If angina markedly worsens or acute coronary insufficiency develops, Corgard administration should be reinstituted promptly, at least temporarily, and other measures appropriate for the management of unstable angina should be taken. Patients should be warned against interruption or discontinuation of therapy without the physician's advice. Because coronary artery disease is common and may be unrecognized, it may be prudent not to discontinue Corgard therapy abruptly even in patients treated only for hypertension.

Serious side effects have been reported with Corgard including the following:

• Bradycardia (slow heart rate). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any new or increasing irregularities in your heart rate.
• Hypotension. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may cause you to feel faint or dizzy. Inadequate fluid intake, excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting can lead to an excessive fall in blood pressure too. Lie down if you feel faint or dizzy. Call your doctor right away.
• Heart failure. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
  • sudden weight gain
  • worsening shortness of breath
  • increased swelling of your feet, legs, or abdomen
  • needing to use more pillows to go to sleep or sleeping in a recliner
  • waking from sleep to catch your breath
  • a cough that does not go away
  • new or increasing irregularities in your heart rate
• Non-allergic bronchospasm (e.g., chronic bronchitis and emphysema): Avoid using Corgard in patients with these conditions. 
• Diabetes: Monitor glucose as Corgard may mask symptoms of hypoglycemia or worsen hyperglycemia.
• Corgard may mask the symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

While taking beta-blockers, patients with a history of severe anaphylactic reaction to a variety of allergens may be more reactive to the allergens. Such patients may be unresponsive to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat an allergic reaction.

Corgard can cause blurred vision, drowsiness, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Corgard affects you.

Do not take Corgard if you:

• are allergic to Corgard or to any of its ingredients
• have non-allergic bronchospasm (e.g., chronic bronchitis and emphysema)
• are prone to asthma or other breathing problems
• have sinus bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• have a heart conduction block
• have cardiogenic shock
• have heart failure

Serious side effects have been reported with Corgard . See the “Corgard Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Corgard include the following:

• Dizziness or fatigue
• Bronchospasm
• Nausea and stomach discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Anorexia
• Bloating and flatulence

This is not a complete list of Corgard side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• insulin and oral hypoglycemics
• reserpine (Serpalan)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• beta blockers such as metoprolol (Toprol XL, Lopressor), bisoprolol (Zebeta), betaxolol (Kerlone), nebivolol (Bystolic), propranolol (Inderal), carvedilol (Coreg)
• anesthesia used in surgery

This is not a complete list of Corgard drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Corgard falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Corgard has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Corgard, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

Do not stop taking Corgard without talking to your doctor. Suddenly stopping Corgard may cause chest pain or heart attack.

It may take a few weeks before you feel the full benefit of Corgard. Continue to take Corgard even if you feel well.

Alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.

Corgard may hide some of the symptoms of low blood sugar, especially a fast heartbeat. Make sure you know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar.