Drugs for CHF

Is anyone aware of a generic version of Coreg?  The patent on coreg has expired on March 7.  Glaxco Smith Kline has been aggressively marketing their Coreg CR (extended release) and are telling physician offices that the regular coreg will no longer be available.  It won't be available from them but it will be from someone who does the generic version.  I understand that the Mylan Labs has received approval from FDA to produce the generic version but it apparently is not yet on the market.  For me, this will be a $73.96 savings each time I get a refill.  I am not going to take the Coreg CR.  It is much more expensive and the only benefit I see is taking the drug once a day versus twice a day.  That isn't a plus for me because I already take drugs twoce a day.

[threeboys]

I have called around and there is still no generic yet. I just started coreg after being on Toprol XL for 6.5 yrs. Do you have any side effects from the coreg. I am so tired all the time and I have gained weight despite no real change in my diet.
I understand your point, I take pills in botrh the am and pm. What else do you take?

[Flycaster305]

I'm also looking forward to a price break for Coreg.  I'm told by my pharmacy to ask every month, a generic replacement could be on the horizon.  

Threeboys, Coreg really made me tired and I gained weight as well.  My Cardiologist urged me to stay with it, and both the exhaustion and weight gain ended.  My ejection fraction reading improved greatly because of the Coreg, it's a terrific product in my opinion.

[DottyCece]

I have taken 25 mg coreg but have been lightheaded recently so they cut it in half.  I was always tired and did gain weight.  I am also taking lisinopril, magnesium, calcium, potassium and demadex.  I do have a biventricular pacemaker which I think has helped me more than all the drugs.  Now I need to go on a drug for prevention of ventricular fibrillation.  I had two episodes recently for which I was shocked.  

[anacyde]

Coreg definitely has some benefits over Toprol and other beta blockers, though as noted it also has some other not-so-nice side effects.  They tend to ease up though, which is good news!

I wonder if the generics will be as good.  I hope so.  Having some relief in the pocketbook for all the people needing Coreg would be much welcomed.

[threeboys]

How long did it take you t adust to the coreg? I am taking 25 mg BID. I am also on coumadin, enalapril, potassium, and HCTZ. I just can't get over how exhausted I am, I have SOB  and a racing heart after doing the easiest tasks. I will talk with my Doc on monday. The problem is I have a new cardiologist after having a great one for 6.5 yrs. My new seems nice too, just doesn't know me yet.

Thanks!!!!!

[myohno2007]

Dotty,

When you got your bi-ventricular pacemaker, what was your EF?  Did you have a left bundle branch block as well?  And how long were you on the meds before they gave you the pacemaker?

[DottyCece]

I was diagnosed with heart failure (nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy) the first part of Sept. 05 and had a 30% EF with lots of edema etc.  I couldn't breathe and talk at the same time.  It was horrible.  They wanted to dothe bi-ventricular pacer soon after that but my son was getting married so I waited until Nov. 04.  I gradually increased my coreg from 3.25 mg in Sept. to 25 mg bid in like April.  I did very well.  The Echo around then showed an increase of EF from 30 % to about 40%.  I do not remember the timeline exactly but my last echo this past Dec. was 50%.  I really think my improvement was due to the pacer.  I did have an AV sequential pacer before this pacer.  It did create a bundle branch block which I think had some to do with my heart failure.The coreg did made me tired.  I did not tolerate exercise very well but I struggled through it for 30 minutes each day.  Recently, I have had a lot of lightheadedness and dizziness so they decreased the coreg to 12.5 mg bib\d.  I am so much better.  I can exercise, I don't tire so easily so I think a lot of my problems was the coreg. I am not sure how much of that I really need.  Also, recently, I have had two episodes of Ventricular Fibrillation, one 13 sec. and one 14 sec.  They are now try to determine what drug if any I should consider adding.  My choices are amiodarone, sotalol, and tikosyn.  

[DottyCece]

Coreg is fatiguing.  I recently decreased the dosage and it has made such a difference.  I was on coreg for three years and I never got use to the fatigue and exercise intolerance.  I exercised every day and it didn't improve.  Now I can exercise and I feel great.  The only thing I have noticed is that my heart pounds so much harder.  It is annoying and sometimes actually uncomfortable.  I am not sure which to tolerate.