Carvedilol
Hypertension, Angina Pectoris ... show more
.svg)
Drug Status
Government Approvals
US(FDA), UK(BNF)
WHO Essential Medicine
NO
Known Teratogen
NO
Pharmaceutical Class
Alpha-Adrenergic Blocker and Beta-Adrenergic Blocker
Controlled Drug Substance
NO
Carvedilol
Learn more about this medicine -
Click HereSummary
Carvedilol is used to treat heart conditions, including heart failure, a weakened heart after a heart attack, and high blood pressure.
Carvedilol works by slowing down the heart and relaxing blood vessels. This makes it easier for the heart to pump blood and lowers blood pressure.
For adults, the usual starting dose for heart failure is 3.125 mg twice daily, which can be increased to a maximum of 25 mg twice daily. For hypertension, the starting dose is 6.25 mg twice daily, which can be increased to 25 mg twice daily. It's important to follow your doctor's advice for dosing.
Common side effects include feeling tired, short of breath, weight gain, diarrhea, and dry eyes. Serious side effects include dizziness or fainting from low blood pressure, a very slow heart rate, worsening heart problems, and allergic reactions.
Carvedilol should not be used by people with asthma, certain heart rhythm problems, severe liver problems, or allergies to it. It's important to watch out for dizziness, fatigue, fainting, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, or blood sugar changes. If you experience these, avoid driving or operating machinery.
Indications and Purpose
How does Carvedilol work?
Carvedilol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels. Lowering blood pressure can reduce your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
How does one know if Carvedilol is working?
Studies showed Carvedilol helped people live longer. It significantly lowered the chances of dying from heart problems and having heart attacks. It also reduced the worsening of heart failure. Interestingly, while it improved survival and reduced hospital visits, it didn't seem to affect how people felt about their health in general.
Is Carvedilol effective?
Carvedilol is a medicine that helps people who've had a heart attack or have heart failure. A large study showed it significantly lowered the chances of death. In the study, fewer people taking carvedilol died compared to those taking a placebo (sugar pill). It also reduced the chances of having another heart attack and improved heart function in people with heart failure. The results were statistically significant, meaning the improvement wasn't just by chance.
What is Carvedilol?
Carvedilol is a medicine for heart problems like heart failure and high blood pressure. It works by slowing down the heart and relaxing blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood and lowering blood pressure. You might feel its effects quickly, within an hour, but a side effect can be a sudden drop in blood pressure if you stand up too fast.
What is Carvedilol used for?
Carvedilol phosphate extended-release capsules are a medication used to treat certain heart conditions, including heart failure, a weakened heart after a heart attack, and high blood pressure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood. It's often used in combination with other medications.
Directions for Use
For how long do I take Carvedilol?
How long someone takes carvedilol depends entirely on their individual needs and how well it works for them. Doctors adjust the dose and how long treatment lasts based on each person's situation. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
How do I take Carvedilol?
Take carvedilol phosphate extended-release capsules once daily with food, as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules whole; do not crush or chew them.
How long does it take for Carvedilol to start working?
Carvedilol works differently depending on why you're taking it and how it's given. For high blood pressure, it starts lowering your blood pressure quickly—within an hour for some effects, and a half-hour for others. However, it takes about one to two weeks to reach its full blood pressure-lowering effect.
How should I store Carvedilol?
Keep carvedilol capsules in a cool place, below 77°F (25°C).
What is the usual dose of Carvedilol?
For adults, the usual starting dose of Carvedilol for heart failure is 3.125 mg twice daily, which can be increased to a maximum of 25 mg twice daily, depending on tolerance and weight. For hypertension, the starting dose is 6.25 mg twice daily, which can be increased to 25 mg twice daily. For children, the effectiveness and safety of Carvedilol have not been established, so it is not typically recommended for pediatric use. Always follow your doctor's advice for dosing.
Warnings and Precautions
Can Carvedilol be taken safely while breastfeeding?
There's no information about carvedilol in breast milk for humans. It's found in the milk of nursing rats, but the effects on nursing babies are unknown. Breastfeeding has many benefits, so weigh the advantages against any potential risks to the baby from carvedilol before making a decision.
Can Carvedilol be taken safely while pregnant?
Carvedilol should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh the risks. It may pose risks like fetal growth issues, neonatal hypoglycemia, or bradycardia, especially in the third trimester. Consult your doctor for personalized advice.
Can I take Carvedilol with other prescription drugs?
Carvedilol's effects on the body can be changed by other medicines. Some medicines, like amiodarone and cimetidine, make carvedilol levels higher in your blood, possibly needing a lower carvedilol dose. Other medicines, like rifampin, lower carvedilol levels, maybe requiring a higher dose. Similar effects happen with other drugs affecting how the body processes carvedilol. Also, carvedilol can raise digoxin levels, so doctors need to be careful when prescribing both together. Cyclosporine dosage may also need adjusting when taken with carvedilol.
Can I take Carvedilol with vitamins or supplements?
Carvedilol is a medicine, and it can interact with other medicines, vitamins, or supplements in ways we don't fully understand. To be safe, tell your doctor about *everything* you take – pills, vitamins, even herbal supplements – before you start taking Carvedilol. This helps your doctor make sure there won't be any problems.
Is Carvedilol safe for the elderly?
Older adults (65 and up) switching from one type of carvedilol (a blood pressure medicine) to another should start with a lower dose of the new type. This is because dizziness, fainting, or low blood pressure are more common in older people taking this medicine. Studies show this medicine works similarly in older and younger adults, but some older adults might be more sensitive to its side effects.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Carvedilol?
Drinking alcohol while taking Carvedilol can increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness and lightheadedness, as both alcohol and Carvedilol can lower blood pressure. It is advisable to limit alcohol consumption and consult with your doctor for personalized advice on alcohol use while taking Carvedilol.
Is it safe to exercise while taking Carvedilol?
Carvedilol may cause fatigue and dizziness, which can affect your ability to exercise. However, it is generally used to improve heart function, which can enhance exercise capacity over time. If you experience significant limitations in your ability to exercise, consult your doctor for advice and possible adjustments to your treatment plan.
Who should avoid taking Carvedilol?
Carvedilol is a heart medicine with some serious risks. It shouldn't be used by people with asthma, certain heart rhythm problems (slow heartbeat, etc.), severe liver problems, or allergies to it. Stopping it suddenly can be dangerous, so it must be stopped gradually under doctor's supervision. Watch out for dizziness, fatigue, fainting, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, or blood sugar changes; if you experience these, avoid driving or operating machinery.
Forms / Brands
