Carvedilol Phosphate Er Coupons & Prices

A carvedilol phosphate ER coupon from Rx.com can lower what you pay at the pharmacy counter for extended-release carvedilol capsules, the generic version of Coreg CR. The brand Coreg CR is no longer marketed in the United States (FDA has stated it was not withdrawn for safety or effectiveness reasons), but FDA-approved generic carvedilol phosphate extended-release capsules are available. Cash prices for the same prescription can vary widely from one pharmacy to the next, even across town, so it pays to compare. Enter your ZIP code above to see today's price at pharmacies near you and print, text, or show the free coupon at the counter.

What is carvedilol phosphate ER and how does it work?

Carvedilol phosphate extended-release is a non-selective beta-blocker that also blocks alpha-1 receptors. Blocking beta receptors slows the heart rate and eases the heart's workload, while the alpha-1 blocking helps relax blood vessels. The extended-release capsule releases the medicine gradually so it can be taken just once a day in the morning with food.

It is FDA-approved for three uses: mild-to-severe chronic heart failure of ischemic or cardiomyopathic origin, usually added to diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and digitalis, to increase survival and reduce the risk of hospitalization; left ventricular dysfunction after a heart attack, to reduce cardiovascular death in clinically stable people who survived the acute phase and have an ejection fraction of 40% or less; and the management of essential high blood pressure, alone or with other blood pressure medicines, especially thiazide-type diuretics.

The capsules come in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg strengths, and the label sets a different starting dose and a different pace of dose increases for each indication. For heart failure, it is started at 10 mg once daily and stepped up over intervals of at least 2 weeks. For left ventricular dysfunction after a heart attack, it is started at 20 mg once daily and increased after intervals of 3 to 10 days. For high blood pressure, it is started at 20 mg once daily and increased over intervals of 1 to 2 weeks if needed for blood pressure control. In every case your dose is individualized and monitored as it is raised, so follow the schedule your prescriber gives you rather than a general rule.

What carvedilol phosphate ER costs without insurance, and how to pay less

Because the brand Coreg CR is no longer marketed in the U.S., the extended-release capsules you fill today are generic carvedilol phosphate. Manufacturer savings cards are generally offered for brand-name products rather than generics, so it is unlikely you will find one for this medicine, but it is worth asking your pharmacist what is currently available. What you actually pay in cash is set by each individual pharmacy, and those cash prices are not standardized. Two pharmacies a few miles apart can charge very different amounts for the identical capsule, strength, and day supply, which is exactly why comparing before you fill matters.

Rx.com compares prices across more than 60,000 participating pharmacies nationwide so you can see who is cheapest near you today. The coupon is free, requires no insurance, and can be used whether or not you have coverage, though if you do have insurance it is worth checking your copay too and using whichever is lower. Prices also change, so it is worth re-checking at each refill. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price.

Carvedilol phosphate ER vs. other beta-blockers

The closest relative is plain carvedilol (the immediate-release tablet, originally branded Coreg), which is normally taken twice a day with food. The two products contain the same active molecule in different chemical forms: the ER capsule uses the phosphate salt of carvedilol, while the IR tablet is carvedilol free base. They are not bioequivalent milligram for milligram either, since the ER capsule has approximately 85% of the bioavailability of the immediate-release tablets, and the label includes a conversion table for switching. It is a separate product and is not automatically interchangeable with the once-daily ER capsule, so the switch should be made by your prescriber. Some people find the once-daily ER capsule easier to remember; others do fine on the tablet, and pharmacy prices for the two can differ quite a bit, so it is worth comparing both if your doctor says either is appropriate for you.

Other beta-blockers your prescriber might consider include metoprolol succinate (extended-release, brand Toprol-XL), metoprolol tartrate (immediate-release, brand Lopressor), bisoprolol, atenolol, and labetalol, which like carvedilol blocks both alpha and beta receptors. These are not equivalent to one another, and the right choice depends on your condition, other medicines, and history. This is a conversation for you and your provider, not a swap to make on your own.

Safety information you should know

Carvedilol phosphate ER has no boxed warning. It should not be used if you have bronchial asthma or other bronchospastic conditions, second- or third-degree AV block, sick sinus syndrome, severe slow heart rate (unless you have a permanent pacemaker), cardiogenic shock or decompensated heart failure needing IV inotropes, severe liver impairment, or a serious allergy to carvedilol. Do not stop this medicine suddenly: abrupt discontinuation can cause a serious flare of coronary artery disease, including chest pain, heart attack, and dangerous heart rhythms. If it needs to be stopped, your doctor will usually taper it over one to two weeks.

Other things the label flags: slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and dizziness or fainting, especially with the first dose or a dose increase (taking the capsule with food slows absorption and helps); worsening heart failure or fluid retention while the dose is being raised; masking of low-blood-sugar warning signs and worse blood sugar control in diabetes; masking of overactive-thyroid symptoms, with a risk of thyroid storm if stopped abruptly; worsening of peripheral vascular disease or Raynaud's; declining kidney function in heart failure patients with low blood pressure; blunted heart rate response and circulatory collapse during anesthesia; floppy iris syndrome during cataract surgery; and higher carvedilol levels in people taking CYP2D6 inhibitors or who are poor metabolizers. Tell your surgeon, eye surgeon, and anesthesiologist you take it. Swallow the capsules whole with food in the morning; never crush, chew, or split them. This page is information, not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.