Alpha/Beta Blocker·Cardiovascular - Beta Blockers

Carvedilol

HFrEF, hypertension, post-MI

PBSBETA BLOCKERDilatrend, Dicarz3.125 mg tabletS4+1

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

50 mg/day

Half-life

7–10 h

Caution: Freq

BD Dosing

Heart Failure

1ST LINE

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Severe asthma/COPD, severe hepatic impairment, acute decompensated heart failure, 2nd/3rd degree heart block. Pregnancy Category C.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Non-selective beta-blocker with additional alpha-1 blocking (vasodilating) activity. A powerhouse medication with robust mortality benefits in heart failure.

Clinical Focus

Because of its alpha-1 blockade, it causes more initial hypotension than other beta-blockers. Up-titrate strictly every 2 weeks.

Bottom Line

Carvedilol is a dual alpha/beta blocker with mortality benefit in heart failure, but causes more dizziness and orthostatic hypotension than selective beta-blockers.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Dilatrend, Dicarz

Oral Routes

Tablets (3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg).

Prescribing & PBS

Unrestricted General Benefit (S4).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

HFrEF, hypertension, post-MI.

Clinical Place

Core pillar of HFrEF management alongside ACEi/ARNI, MRA, and SGLT2i.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Alpha/Beta Blocker — Non-selective beta-blocker with additional alpha-1 blocking (vasodilating) activity.

Route / Formulation

Tablets (3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg). (Dilatrend, Dicarz)

Usual Dose & Max

Start PO 3.125 mg BD. Double dose every 2 weeks. Target 25 mg BD. Max 50 mg/day (given as 25 mg BD).

Key Indication Doses

Heart Failure (HFrEF): Start PO 3.125 mg BD. Double dose every 2 weeks. Target 25 mg BD. Hypertension / Angina: PO 12.5 mg BD. Max 25 mg BD. Elderly / Frail: Strictly start at 3.125 mg BD and take with food to slow absorption and reduce hypotension.

Best Uses

Carvedilol is a dual alpha/beta blocker with mortality benefit in heart failure, but causes more dizziness and orthostatic hypotension than selective beta-blockers.

Key Risks

Cardiovascular: Postural hypotension (due to alpha blockade), bradycardia, fluid retention during initiation. Respiratory: Bronchospasm (non-selective beta-blockade means high risk in asthmatics). Neurological: Dizziness, fatigue, masking of hypoglycemia.

Key Interactions

Verapamil/Diltiazem (asystole risk). Additive hypotension with other alpha-blockers (e.g., Prazosin). Increases Digoxin levels by ~15%.

Monitoring

Monitor BP (specifically postural drop) and Weight (fluid retention) during up-titration. Baseline ECG.

Clinical Pearl

Taking Carvedilol with food slows its absorption, blunting the peak concentration and significantly reducing the risk of orthostatic hypotension.

Access

Dilatrend, Dicarz3.125 mg tablet

Brand: Dilatrend, Dicarz
Formulation: Tablets (3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg).

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.

Alpha/Beta Blocker·Cardiovascular - Beta Blockers

Carvedilol

HFrEF, hypertension, post-MI

PBSBETA BLOCKERDilatrend, Dicarz3.125 mg tabletS4+1

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

50 mg/day

Half-life

7–10 h

Caution: Freq

BD Dosing

Heart Failure

1ST LINE

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Severe asthma/COPD, severe hepatic impairment, acute decompensated heart failure, 2nd/3rd degree heart block. Pregnancy Category C.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Non-selective beta-blocker with additional alpha-1 blocking (vasodilating) activity. A powerhouse medication with robust mortality benefits in heart failure.

Clinical Focus

Because of its alpha-1 blockade, it causes more initial hypotension than other beta-blockers. Up-titrate strictly every 2 weeks.

Bottom Line

Carvedilol is a dual alpha/beta blocker with mortality benefit in heart failure, but causes more dizziness and orthostatic hypotension than selective beta-blockers.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Dilatrend, Dicarz

Oral Routes

Tablets (3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg).

Prescribing & PBS

Unrestricted General Benefit (S4).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

HFrEF, hypertension, post-MI.

Clinical Place

Core pillar of HFrEF management alongside ACEi/ARNI, MRA, and SGLT2i.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Alpha/Beta Blocker — Non-selective beta-blocker with additional alpha-1 blocking (vasodilating) activity.

Route / Formulation

Tablets (3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg). (Dilatrend, Dicarz)

Usual Dose & Max

Start PO 3.125 mg BD. Double dose every 2 weeks. Target 25 mg BD. Max 50 mg/day (given as 25 mg BD).

Key Indication Doses

Best Uses

Carvedilol is a dual alpha/beta blocker with mortality benefit in heart failure, but causes more dizziness and orthostatic hypotension than selective beta-blockers.

Key Risks

Key Interactions

Verapamil/Diltiazem (asystole risk). Additive hypotension with other alpha-blockers (e.g., Prazosin). Increases Digoxin levels by ~15%.

Monitoring

Monitor BP (specifically postural drop) and Weight (fluid retention) during up-titration. Baseline ECG.

Clinical Pearl

Taking Carvedilol with food slows its absorption, blunting the peak concentration and significantly reducing the risk of orthostatic hypotension.

Access

Dilatrend, Dicarz3.125 mg tablet

Brand: Dilatrend, Dicarz
Formulation: Tablets (3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg).

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.