Carvedilol: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage

Carvedilol belongs to a class of medications called beta-blockers

It is used to treat heart failure (condition in which the heart can not pump enough blood to all parts of the body) and high blood pressure used.

It is also used to treat people who have had a heart attack. Carvedilol is often used in combination with other medications.

Why it is Used?

Carvedolol is used to treat high blood pressure. It can also improve your heart if you have had a heart attack or a heart attack.

This medication has been approved for treatment:

  • Heart failure
  • Left ventricular dysfunction after a heart attack.
  • Arterial hypertension

Mechanism of action

It block the activity of beta adrenergic receptors which reduces heart rate, myocardial contractility and myocardial oxygen demand.

It also reduces systemic vascular resistance through its blocking properties of the alpha adrenergic receptor.

It has been shown that carvedilol and its BM-910228 metabolite restore inotropic reactivity to Ca2 + in the radical myocardium treated with free OH. Carvedilol and its metabolites also prevent the reduction induced by OH radicals in the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2 + ATPase activity.

Therefore, carvedilol and its metabolites may be beneficial in chronic heart failure by preventing free radical damage.

side effects

The most common side effects  include:

  • Dizziness
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Diarrhea
  • High blood sugar
  • Lack of energy or weakness
  • Slower heart rate
  • increase in weight
  • Changes in sexual desire or performance
  • Dry eyes
  • Dry and itchy skin
  • Headaches
  • Nausea

Serious side effects may include:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Changes in your heart rate
  • The problems of the heart.
  • Liver problems
  • Problems in the eyes
  • Urinary problems

Black Box Warning

This drug comes with a black box warning.

Do not stop taking this medicine without first talking to your doctor. Stopping carvedilol suddenly may change your heart rate, increase chest pain, or cause a heart attack. If you stop taking this medicine, your doctor will gradually reduce your dose to 1 to 22 weeks to help prevent these effects. If you have chest pain or heart problems after stopping this medicine, your doctor has started using it for a while.

Dosage for carvedilol

  • Carvedilol tablets are usually given twice a day. If the blood pressure is high, the dose is 6.25 mg twice a day up to a maximum of 25 mg twice a day.
  • In congestive heart failure, the dose is 3.25 mg twice a day up to a maximum of 25 mg twice a day. A maximum dose of 50 mg twice daily was used in subjects weighing more than 85 kg.
  • It should be taken with food in order to slow down absorption and to reduce the occurrence of low blood pressure when standing up from a sitting position or (orthostatic hypotension) to sleep. Stopping and changing the dose of carvedilol should be done under the supervision of a doctor so sudden changes in dosage can cause arrhythmias, such as serious cardiac complications.
  • The dose range for the treatment of heart failure or hypertension in prolonged-release capsules is 10 to 80 mg once a day

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