Coryol 12.5 mg and 25 mg tablets – carvedilol for hypertension, angina pectoris and chronic heart failure

Coryol contains the active substance carvedilol – a non-selective beta- and alpha1-adrenergic receptor blocker. Carvedilol slows the heart, reduces its workload and widens blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure.

It is intended for adults for the treatment of essential hypertension, chronic stable angina pectoris and stable symptomatic chronic heart failure (together with standard therapy). In Serbia, scored 12.5 mg and 25 mg tablets made by Krka are authorised.

What is Coryol (carvedilol) used for and how should it be taken?

Basic information about the medicine

What is Coryol used for?

According to the Summary of Product Characteristics, Coryol is indicated in adults for:

• essential hypertension (high blood pressure without a known cause)
• chronic stable angina pectoris
• stable, symptomatic chronic heart failure of all severities, of ischaemic or non-ischaemic origin, in combination with standard therapy (ACE inhibitors, diuretics, with or without digoxin)

In heart failure, treatment is started only once the condition is stabilised, i.e. when baseline therapy has been unchanged for at least 4 weeks.

How is it used and dosed?

Starting doses of 3.125 mg and 6.25 mg cannot be achieved with Coryol 12.5 mg and 25 mg tablets – other suitable carvedilol medicines are used for them. The tablets are swallowed with enough liquid; taking them with food is recommended, as this reduces the drop in blood pressure on standing.

If treatment has been interrupted for more than 1 week, it is restarted at a lower dose, and after more than 2 weeks at 3.125 mg twice daily, with repeated gradual titration. This is the general dosage from the official documentation – the dose is set by the doctor.

Special patient groups

• Elderly patients with hypertension: a daily dose of 12.5 mg may be sufficient to control blood pressure.
• Kidney impairment in heart failure: dose adjustment is usually not needed, but kidney function is monitored.
• Clinically manifest liver impairment: the medicine is contraindicated.
• Children and adolescents: the medicine is intended for adults.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• hypersensitivity to carvedilol or excipients
• cardiogenic shock; unstable or decompensated heart failure
• acute pulmonary embolism, cor pulmonale
• Prinzmetal’s angina
• severe hypotension (systolic pressure below 85 mmHg) and severe bradycardia (below 50 beats per minute)
• second- and third-degree AV block (without a pacemaker), sick sinus syndrome including SA block
• bronchial asthma or other lung diseases with bronchospasm (e.g. COPD)
• untreated phaeochromocytoma, metabolic acidosis, clinically significant liver disease
• concomitant MAO inhibitors (except MAO-B) or intravenous verapamil, diltiazem and other antiarrhythmics
• breast-feeding

Precautions and warnings

• Diabetes: blood sugar control may worsen and signs of hypoglycaemia may be masked – regular glucose checks when starting and increasing the dose.
• Hypertension with diuretics: diuretics should preferably be paused before starting treatment to avoid an excessive drop in blood pressure.
• In heart failure, worsening symptoms or dizziness at the start are usually transient and are managed by temporarily reducing the dose.
• Anaesthesia and major surgery: inform the anaesthetist.
• Contact lenses: reduced tear production is possible.
• Clonidine: if combined treatment is stopped, carvedilol is withdrawn first, and clonidine gradually a few days later.
• The medicine contains lactose and sucrose.

Interactions with other medicines, alcohol and food

• Digoxin: digoxin levels rise by about 20% and both medicines slow cardiac conduction – more frequent monitoring.
• Other antihypertensives, sedatives (barbiturates, phenothiazines), tricyclic antidepressants and vasodilators: enhanced drop in blood pressure.
• Clonidine, reserpine, guanethidine, methyldopa, guanfacine, MAO inhibitors: additional lowering of blood pressure and heart rate.
• Verapamil, diltiazem and antiarrhythmics: risk of conduction disorders; intravenous use is contraindicated.
• Insulin and oral antidiabetics: enhanced effect, masked signs of hypoglycaemia.
• Cimetidine, hydralazine and alcohol may increase carvedilol availability; rifampicin reduces it.
• Alcohol: carvedilol enhances the blood pressure-lowering effect of alcohol – do not drink alcohol during treatment.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Data on use in pregnancy are limited; beta blockers reduce placental blood flow and may cause slow heart rate and hypoglycaemia in the foetus and newborn. Coryol is used in pregnancy only if the benefit to the mother justifies the risk, and treatment should be stopped 48–72 hours before the expected delivery. It is contraindicated during breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

Dizziness and tiredness may affect driving, especially at the start of treatment, with dose increases, medicine changes and with alcohol.

Possible side effects

• Very common (more than 1 in 10): dizziness, headache, heart failure, low blood pressure.
• Common (up to 1 in 10): bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory and urinary tract infections, anaemia, weight gain and raised cholesterol, worsened blood sugar control in diabetics, depression, fainting, visual disturbance, dry and irritated eyes, slow pulse, fluid retention, drop in blood pressure on standing, peripheral circulation disorder (cold fingers, Raynaud’s phenomenon), breathing difficulty, pulmonary oedema, asthma in predisposed people, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain.
• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): sleep disorder, nightmares, hallucinations, confusion, paraesthesia, AV block, angina attacks.
• Rare and very rare: low platelet and white cell counts, allergic reactions, blocked nose, psychoses.

Report suspected side effects to your doctor, pharmacist or ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: severe drop in blood pressure, slow heart rate, heart failure, cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest, breathing difficulty, bronchospasm, vomiting, impaired consciousness and seizures. Call emergency services immediately; the patient should lie down.
• Missed dose: do not take a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: do not change the dose or stop the medicine without your doctor – it is withdrawn gradually.

Related information

For additional care and support for home monitoring of blood pressure and pulse, see also the category Blood pressure monitors – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed to you.

Composition, packaging and manufacturer

• Active substance: carvedilol, 12.5 mg or 25 mg per tablet.
• Excipients: sucrose; lactose monohydrate; povidone K25; colloidal anhydrous silica; crospovidone; magnesium stearate (12.5 mg: 137.28 mg lactose and 10 mg sucrose; 25 mg: 80.75 mg lactose and 60 mg sucrose per tablet).
• Appearance of 25 mg: round white scored tablets.
• Pack: OPA/Al/PVC-Al unit-dose perforated blisters; 28 tablets.
• Manufacturer: KRKA, D.D., NOVO MESTO, Šmarješka cesta 6, Novo mesto, Slovenia. MA holder: KRKA-FARMA D.O.O. BEOGRAD, Jurija Gagarina 26/V/II, Belgrade.

Storage

• Store below 30 °C.
• Shelf life: 5 years.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children; do not use after the expiry date.
• Return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

Is Coryol taken with food?

Yes, taking it with a meal is recommended – carvedilol is then absorbed more slowly, so a drop in blood pressure and dizziness on standing are less likely.

Can I split a Coryol tablet?

The 12.5 mg and 25 mg tablets have a score line and can be divided into equal doses, as instructed by the doctor.

May I take Coryol if I have asthma?

No. Bronchial asthma and other lung diseases with bronchospasm (e.g. COPD) are contraindications, because carvedilol can narrow the airways.

What if I interrupted treatment for a few days?

If the break lasts more than a week, treatment is restarted at a lower dose with gradual increases, and after a break of more than 2 weeks from the lowest dose. Always contact your doctor before restarting.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Coryol® 12.5 mg and 25 mg tablets (May 2022, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Patient leaflet Coryol® 25 mg tablets (May 2022, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25.10.2026.