Carvedilol Uses

Carvedilol is a prescription oral medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure (a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to every part of the body). It is also used to treat left ventricular dysfunction, a common but serious complication of myocardial infarction (heart attack) that can lead to an increased risk of heart failure and death. 

There may be other uses of this medicine — your healthcare professional or pharmacist can provide medical advice and give you more carvedilol drug information.

Carvedilol Mechanism of Action

Carvedilol works by relaxing the blood vessels, improving blood flow, and slowing the heart rate. This helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the workload of the heart. 

Carvedilol Doses

Carvedilol tablets are available in doses of 3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, and 25 mg. Carvedilol extended-release capsules are available as 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg.

In heart failure patients, the usual dose of carvedilol is 3.125 mg to 6.25 mg twice daily. Your doctor may slowly increase your carvedilol dose up to 25 mg twice daily. 

As a blood pressure medication, the recommended starting dose of carvedilol is 6.25 mg twice daily. This may be increased after 7-14 days, depending on the response.

Following a heart attack (myocardial infarction), immediate-release carvedilol is typically started at 6.25 mg twice daily. Depending on how well it is tolerated, the dose may be increased to 12.5 mg twice daily after 3-10 days, and ultimately to 25 mg twice daily. 

The recommended starting dose of carvedilol extended-release is 10 mg once daily. The dose may be increased to 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg over successive intervals of at least 2 weeks based on response.