Re: Coreg

Posted By Jan on April 20, 1999 at 20:15:27
I was diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 2 years ago.  I took  25 mg of coreg twice a day and my ef went from 15% to 63% in 1&1/2 years.  My bp and heart rate were very low and I spent about 1/2 of each day laying down because of weakness and dizziness.  My doctors took me off coreg for 3 days to see if it was side effects from the meds.  I experienced increased energy and a clear mind for the first time in 2 years.  Now I am taking 6.5 mg in the a.m. and 12.5 mg at bedtime.  I am tolerating this pretty well, my heart rate is in the 50's & low 60's.  I think I am at least partially beta blocked however, I am wondering what the minimum effective dosage is for coreg?  I sure don't want to lose my gains.  The heart transplant team doctors tell me I will most likely go back to an ef similar to what I started with if I go completely off coreg.  Is that what you are finding at the Cleveland Clinic? Thank you, Jan.  

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD-APS on April 24, 1999 at 14:44:49
Dear Jan,
The answer to your question is the BIG UNKNOWN. We do know that people with your bad EF that improves on coreg tend to worsen off the drug, BUT as with all things in medicine, NOTHING IS 100%, i.e. it is not a guarantee that you will worsen on a smaller dosage, even off the coreg!  Be wise however, do not stop your close follow-up, work with your doctors, follow the course of your EF and if it worsens be willing to increase the coreg dose again (makes common sense though does it not?)
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please
call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at
www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your
cardiac problem.










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