Carvedilol belongs to a group of medicines called beta blockers. Carvedilol is used for relaxing and expanding the blood vessels, which eases the heart to pump blood through the blood vessels. This effect in patients with angina pectoris accelerates chest pain. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine in combination with other medicines for better treatment of your heart disease.
Carvedilol indications include:
•Congestive heart failure;
•High blood pressure (hypertension);
•Angina pectoris (pain or discomfort in the chest caused by insufficient supply of blood and oxygen to
•The heart muscle
Carvedilol contraindications

•Any known allergy to active ingredient of carvedilol
•Pulmonary disorders
•Swelling in the hands, feet, and ankles due to fluid retention
•Impaired liver function
•Heart block
•Low blood pressure
•Metabolic acidosis
•Pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor)
Warnings and Precautions
Carvedilol must be used with extra precautions in following patients:
•In patients with renal impairment
•In patients with diabetes
•In patients with thyroid problems
•In patients with peripheral circulatory problems, which are manifested with cold hands and feet (Raynaud's phenomenon)
•In patients with psoriasis
•In patients with Prinzmetal's angina pectoris;
If you are planning to undergo surgery, you should tell your doctor that you are using Carvedilol because some anesthetics can further lower your blood pressure which may cause serious problems.
Carvedilol - drug interactions
Carvedilol should be avoided simultaneously with following drugs:
•Other medications you are taking for heart problems, including water pills (diuretics) and calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem or verapamil)
•Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such is: phenelzine (used for depression treatment);
•Drugs used to treat diabetes, such as: insulin and metformin
•Clonidine
•Rifampicin (a medicine used in the treatment of tuberculosis)
•Digoxin
Carvedilol and its use in pregnant woman and breastfeeding mothers
Pregnancy
Use of this drug during pregnancy is not recommended. However, your doctor may prescribe this medicine to you, if he thinks that you'll derive more benefits than risks.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts may get into breast milk, which is the reason why you should avoid breastfeeding while using this medicine.
Driving motor vehicles and operating machinery
Carvedilol may cause you feel dizzy (which is but the way much more likely at the beginning of treatment), thus driving a motor vehicle and / or operating machinery must be avoided.
Carvedilol recommended dosage
This medicine is not suitable for use in children under the age of 18 years.
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water, without chewing or crushing it.
Carvedil dosage regimens for Chronic Heart Failure treatment:
1.Take this medication with food, preferably each day at the same time of day
2.The usual initial dose is 3,125 mg twice a day, for 2 weeks.
3.Your doctor will then gradually increase the dose. Maximum daily dose is 25 mg twice a day.
4.If you weigh more than 85 kg, the dose may be increased to 50 mg twice a day.
5.If you stop taking this medicine for more than two weeks, you should notify your doctor. You will probably have to return to the initial dose.
Carvedilol dosage regimens for High blood pressure treatment
1.The usual initial dose is 6.5 mg twice a day.
2.Then, dose is increased to 25 mg once a day.
3.If adequate control of blood pressure is not established, your doctor may gradually increase the dose. However, maximum dose should not exceed 50 mg per day
Carvedilol dosage regimen for Angina pectoris treatment
Adults
Initial dose is 12.5 mg twice a day for two days. After two days, the dose is increased to 25 mg twice a day.
Elderly
1.Doctor will determine the proper starting dose for you.
2.Maximum daily dose should not exceed 50 mg
Side effects
Very common side effects (affect more than 1 in 10 people)
•Dizziness
•Headache (usually it is moderate and occur mostly at the beginning of treatment)
•Fatigue
Common side effects (affect less than 1 in 10 people)
•Increase in body weight
•Increase in blood cholesterol levels
•More difficult control of blood sugar
•Slow heartbeat
•Low blood pressure (symptoms of low blood pressure include: vertigo and dizziness)
•Fluid accumulation in the body (symptoms include: swelling of hands, feet, legs and ankles)
•Nausea
•Diarrhea
•Vision problems
Uncommon side effects (between 1 in 100 people and 1 in 1000 people are affected)
•Loss of consciousness
Rare side effects (affect less than 1 in 1000 people)
•Decrease in platelets (most common symptom is frequent nosebleeds)
If you get any of above mentioned side effects, talk to your doctor right away.
If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.