Carvedilol(kar vah’ da lol)
Apo-Carvedilol (CAN), Coreg, Coreg CRDNC, PMS-Carvedilol (CAN), ratio-Carvedilol (CAN)
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocker
Antihypertensive
Therapeutic Actions
Competitively blocks alpha-, beta-, and beta2-adrenergic receptors and has some sympathomimetic activity at beta2-receptors. Both alpha- and beta-blocking actions contribute to the BP-lowering effect; beta blockade prevents the reflex tachycardia seen with most alpha-blocking drugs and decreases plasma renin activity. Significantly reduces plasma renin activity.
Indications
Hypertension, alone or with other oral drugs, especially diuretics
Treatment of mild to severe heart failure of ischemic or cardiomyopathic origin with digitalis, diuretics, ACE inhibitors
Left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) after MI
Unlabeled uses: Angina (25–50 mg bid), hiccups, idiopathic cardiomyopathy
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with decompensated heart failure, bronchial asthma, heart block, cardiogenic shock, hypersensitivity to carvedilol, pregnancy, lactation.
Use cautiously with hepatic impairment, peripheral vascular disease, thyrotoxicosis, diabetes, anesthesia, major surgery.
Available Forms
Tablets—3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25 mg; CR capsulesDNC—10, 20, 40, 80 mg
Dosages
Adults
Hypertension: 6.25 mg PO bid; maintain for 7–14 days, then increase to 12.5 mg PO bid if needed to control BP. Do not exceed 50 mg/day.
Heart failure: Monitor patient very closely, individualize dose based on patient response. Initial dose, 3.125 mg PO bid for 2 wk, may then be increased to 6.25 mg PO bid. Do not increase doses at intervals shorter than 2 wk. Maximum dose, 25 mg PO bid in patients weighing less than 85 kg or 50 mg PO bid in patients weighing more than 85 kg.
LVD following MI: 6.25 mg PO bid; increase after 3–10 days to 12.5 mg PO bid, then to target dose of 25 mg bid.
For conversion from tablets to CR capsules, follow these instructions. For dosage of 6.25 mg daily (3.125 mg bid), give 10 mg CR capsules once daily. For 12.5 mg (6.25 mg bid), give 20 mg CR capsules once daily. For 25 mg (12.5 mg bid), give 40 mg CR capsules once daily. For 50 mg (25 mg bid), give 80 mg CR capsules once daily.
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
