Carvedilol
Carvedilol slows the heart and relaxes blood vessels. It may be used for selected cases of heart failure or high blood pressure within a monitored treatment plan.
Key points
- Carvedilol can lower heart rate and blood pressure, especially when treatment changes or other heart medicines are added.
- It can worsen airway symptoms and mask some warning signs of low blood glucose.
- Fainting, severe breathlessness, chest pain or a very slow heartbeat with weakness needs urgent care.
Listings are for comparison only. Suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, stock, destination rules and prescription requirements.
How it works
Carvedilol blocks beta receptors in the heart and alpha-1 receptors in blood vessels, reducing heart rate, cardiac workload and vascular resistance.
Important safety checks
Asthma or airway disease, a slow pulse, conduction problems, low blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease and worsening heart failure require review. Other rate-slowing medicines can add to its effects. Do not stop carvedilol suddenly, because angina, rhythm problems or heart failure can worsen.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for fainting, new or worsening chest pain, severe breathlessness, blue-grey lips or skin, confusion, or a very slow or irregular heartbeat with weakness or dizziness.