How to take carvedilol: instructions and reviews

Carvedilol belongs to the group of alpha and beta-blockers. It is often prescribed for heart failure, also used to treat hypertension.

The drug has been widely used since the late 1980s, but still does not lose its popularity. The reason is that it is better than other drugs for heart failure. Prolongs life to patients and does not allow to develop addiction to other medicines (nitrates).

On this page you will find all information about Carvedilol: the full instruction on the application for this medicine, average prices in pharmacies, complete and incomplete analogs of the drug, as well as reviews of people who have already used Carvedilol. Want to leave your opinion? Please write in the comments.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Beta1-, beta2-adrenoblocker. Alfa1-adrenoblocker.

Conditions of leave from pharmacies

It is released on prescription.

Price list

How much is Carvedilol? The average price in pharmacies is at the level of80 rubles.

Form of issue and composition

Carvedilol is available in the form of coated tablets at 12.5 and 25 mg. They have a planocylindrical shape, white.

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1 tablet Carvedilol contains:

active substance: carvedilol - 12.5 mg;
auxiliary substances: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose (milk sugar), crospovidone (plasdone XL10), sodium stearyl fumarate.

Produced in a blister - 30 tablets.

Pharmacological effect

Carvedilol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker. It is also a selective blocker of alpha receptors. Has no internal sympathomimetic activity.

Reduces the overall atrial load by selective blocking of alpha-adrenergic receptors. Due to the non-selective blockade of beta-adrenoreceptors, the renin-angiotensin system of the kidneys is suppressed (decrease activity of plasma renin), decrease in blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac output. By blocking the alpha receptors, carvedilol dilates the peripheral vessels, thereby reducing the vascular resistance.

The combination of vasodilation and blockade of beta receptors is accompanied by the following effects: in patients with coronary heart disease - prevention myocardial ischemia, pain syndrome; in patients with arterial hypertension - lowering blood pressure; in patients with circulatory failure and left ventricular dysfunction - improving hemodynamics, reducing the size of the left ventricle and increasing the fraction of ejection from it. The drug has no effect on lipid metabolism.

Indications for use

Accompanying medicine Carvedilol instructions for use and reviews of doctors note its effectiveness in various diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including:

stable angina pectoris;
cardiovascular failure (chronic type);
high blood pressure (for a representative of middle age, the pressure is considered elevated when the threshold is exceeded 140/90 mm Hg).

However, do not forget that in some diseases (for example, with diabetes), high blood pressure is the norm. In such situations, the limit, to which you can do without taking pills, the doctor determines individually.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of carvedilol are:

Syndrome of weakness of the sinus node.
Cardiogenic shock.
Period of bearing of the child.
Breastfeeding period.
The patient is under 18 years old.
Arterial hypotension (SAD less than 85 mm Hg).
Pronounced bradycardia (heart rate less than 50 bpm).
Atrio-ventricular blockade of II and III degree (not including patients with IVR).
Severe degree of hepatic insufficiency.
Hypersensitivity to carvedilol and other constituent components of the drug.
Heart failure in the stage of exacerbation and decompensation (including chronic form) /

Carvedilol is prescribed with extreme caution in patients with Prinzmetal angina, renal insufficiency, thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus, occlusive diseases of peripheral vessels, general anesthesia and extensive surgical interventions, pheochromocytoma, depression, psoriasis, hypoglycemia, atrio-ventricular blockade of the first degree, myasthenia gravis.

Application in pregnancy and lactation

Pregnant women Carvedilol is prescribed in cases of exceeding the risk of life and health of a woman over the potential risk of penetration of the drug into the fetus. If it is impossible to cancel the drug, breastfeeding is contraindicated.

Instructions for use

The instructions for use indicate that the dosage regimen is set individually, depending on the indications. Carvedilol is taken orally, regardless of food intake.

Tablets are taken after meals, washed down with a small amount of water. Averaged Dosages:

With hypertension for the first 7-14 days, the recommended initial dose is 12.5 mg / day (1 tab.) In the morning after breakfast. The dose can be divided into 2 divided doses of 6.25 mg of Carvedilol (1/2 table. on 12.5 mg). Next, the drug is prescribed in a dose of 25 mg (1 table. 25 mg) in 1 morning, or divided into 2 divided doses of 12.5 mg (1 tab. 12.5 mg). If necessary, after 14 days, it is possible to increase the dose once more.
With chronic heart failure, the dose is selected individually, under the careful supervision of a doctor. The recommended initial dose is 3.125 mg 2 times / day for 2 weeks. With good tolerability, the dose is increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks to 6.25 mg 2 times / day, then 12.5 mg 2 times / day and then to 25 mg 2 times / day. The dose should be increased to the maximum, which is well tolerated by the patient. In patients with a body weight of less than 85 kg, the target dose is 50 mg / day, in patients with a body weight of more than 85 kg, the target dose is 75-100 mg / day. If treatment is interrupted for more than 2 weeks, then its resumption begins with a dose of 3.125 mg 2 times / day, followed by an increase in the dose.
With stable angina, the initial dose of Carvedilol is 12.5 mg (1 table. 12.5 mg) 2 times / day. After 7-14 days the dose can be increased to 25 mg (1 tab. 25 mg) 2 times / day. With insufficient effectiveness and good tolerability after 14 days and the dose of Carvedilol can be further increased. The daily dose of Carvedilol in angina pectoris should not exceed 50 mg (2 tablets). on 25 mg), appointed or nominated 2 times / sut.

Special instructions should also be considered:

If the drug is withdrawn, the dose reduction should be carried out gradually within 1-2 weeks.
For patients over the age of 70, the daily dose of Carvedilol should not exceed 25 mg (1 table. 25 mg) 2 times / day.
If you miss a regular dose, the drug should be taken as soon as possible. However, if it's time for the next appointment, then you need to take only one single dose (without doubling).

At a break in taking the drug for more than 2 weeks, it is necessary to resume treatment with the lowest doses of Carvedilol.

Side effects

In the reviews about Carvedilol there are reports that the drug can cause adverse reactions from the organs and body systems:

Respiratory system: shortness of breath, dryness of the nasal mucosa;
Skin: allergic eczema, hives, itching, redness;
Hemopoietic system: mild degree of thrombocytopenia;
Organs of vision: reduced tear, visual impairment, eye irritation;
Central nervous system: sleep disorders, syncope, paresthesia, depression, headaches, dizziness;
Cardiovascular system: violation of peripheral circulation, bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension;
Gastrointestinal tract: constipation, nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, increased transaminase levels;
Genitourinary system: impotence, swelling of the genitals, peripheral edema, renal failure, urinary disorders;
Metabolic system: hypercholesterolemia, peripheral edema, fluid retention in the body, hypervolemia, in patients with diabetes - hyperglycemia.

In rare cases, latent diabetes mellitus, stenocardia, and weakness may occur.

Overdose

If you exceed the dose of Carvedilol, you can trigger the occurrence:

bradycardia;
nausea and vomiting;
loss of consciousness;
violation of breathing, bronchospasm;
convulsions;
hypotension expressed;
heart failure;
shock cardiogenic.

It is necessary to monitor all the vital indicators. The patient with an overdose of the drug should be in the intensive care unit.

Conduction of hemodialysis due to the association of Carvedilol with blood proteins is ineffective.

special instructions

Treatment with the drug with caution is carried out in patients who had a history of bronchospasm, emphysema of the lungs, as well as to persons suffering from chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma.
At the beginning of treatment with the drug may develop fainting, weakness and severe dizziness. Especially in the elderly. This reaction is normal and does not require the withdrawal of treatment.
In patients with psoriasis, peripheral vascular disease, anaphylactic reactions in the anamnesis, the effect of the drug can lead to a worsening of the condition, with Prinzmetal angina - to provoke the appearance of chest pains. The use of the drug reduces sensitivity in allergic tests.
Against the background of taking the drug with caution, it is recommended to perform general anesthesia with drugs with a negative inotropic effect, such as cyclopropane, ether, trichlorethylene. The patient should inform the doctor about taking Carvedilol. Before the scheduled extensive surgical operations, a gradual cancellation of the drug should be carried out.
The drug is inherent in masking the symptoms of hyperglycemia and thyrotoxicosis. Treatment of patients with diabetes is recommended to accompany regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, if necessary, adjust hypoglycemic therapy.

This medication can not be combined with alcoholic beverages or alcohol tinctures, as this increases the risk of developing violations from the liver and central nervous system.

Drug Interactions

MAO inhibitors, cardiac glycosides, antihypertensives and beta-blockers in the form of eye drops can enhance the therapeutic effect of Carvedilol while using it.

Carvedilol is not prescribed to patients at the same time as intravenous injections of verapamil, as this can lead to bradycardia and a strong decrease in blood pressure.

Patients with diabetes should take the drug with extreme caution, since under the influence of the active ingredient can increase the therapeutic effect of hypoglycemic drugs, which increases the risk of hypoglycemic coma.

Reviews

We picked up some of the people's reviews about Carvedilol:

Catherine. My mother is 78 years old. 10 years ago suffered a heart attack. Also suffers from increased pressure and ischemia. The doctor prescribed Carvedilol 12.5 mg twice a day. The pressure stabilized. But there was dryness in the mouth.
Nina. Carvedilol I personally took with increased blood pressure, the drug is good, it is important to me that there were no side effects. If the pressure is too high. the drug it normalizes after about half an hour and the action of Carvedilol is quite long, but twice a day with the treatment to take is still worth it. As far as I know, the rapid effect of this drug is obtained through vasodilating components. Now I've taken a short break, I'm going to get the drug back.
Anna. Carvedilol helped reduce the pressure, this effect of the drug I needed. My doctor appointed me. But after that I began to sleep badly, insomnia began to torment me. The whole night with his eyes open, sleep only came in the morning at dawn. Still I did not leave a state of alarm. So I had such adverse reactions. But I did not give up the drug. Has decided to suffer.

Analogues

The following medicines are analogues of Carvedilol:

Acridilol;
Bagolol;
Vedicardol;
Dilatrend;
Carvedigamma;
Carvenal;
Carvetrend;
Carvydil;
Kardivas;
Coriol;
Credex;
Rekardium;
Talliton.

Before using analogues, consult your doctor.

Storage conditions and shelf life

List B. The drug should be stored out of reach of children, dry, protected from light, at a temperature of no higher than 25 ° C. Shelf life - 3 years.