Drug interactions
Carvedilol + Cocaine
Severity: Moderate
Carvedilol and Cocaine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Beta-blockade in the presence of cocaine can leave alpha-mediated vasoconstriction unopposed, raising blood pressure and coronary vasospasm risk. Carvedilol's alpha-blocking activity lessens this concern, but caution is still warranted with systemic cocaine use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carvedilol and Cocaine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Carvedilol belongs to Cardiovascular; Cocaine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Cocaine-induced sympathetic stimulation with beta-blockade producing relatively unopposed alpha-adrenergic effects.
What to do
Avoid illicit cocaine use; for topical clinical cocaine, systemic exposure is low, but monitor blood pressure and chest pain in patients with coronary disease.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Carvedilol
Other interactions of Cocaine
- Cocaine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Cocaine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Cocaine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Cocaine Major
- Bisoprolol + Cocaine Major
- Citalopram + Cocaine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carvedilol with Cocaine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carvedilol and Cocaine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Beta-blockade in the presence of cocaine can leave alpha-mediated vasoconstriction unopposed, raising blood pressure and coronary vasospasm risk. Carvedilol's alpha-blocking activity lessens this concern, but caution is still warranted with systemic cocaine use.
How serious is the interaction between Carvedilol and Cocaine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid illicit cocaine use; for topical clinical cocaine, systemic exposure is low, but monitor blood pressure and chest pain in patients with coronary disease.
What other medicines interact with Carvedilol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carvedilol with, for example, Amifostine, Amiodarone, Arformoterol. The full list is on the Carvedilol page.
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