Carvedilol

Also sold as: Dilatrend

Comes as:Tablet

Usual adult dose

High blood pressure: 12.5 to 25 mg once or twice a day. Heart failure: start 3.125 mg twice a day and increase slowly as set by your doctor. Take with food. Do not stop suddenly.

Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.

Side effects

Common

dizziness on standing
tiredness
slow heartbeat
weight gain

Serious — get help

Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:

very slow heartbeat
fainting
wheezing or breathlessness
worsening heart failure (swollen legs)

Do not take it, or take care, if

Asthma
Very slow heartbeat or heart block
Severe liver disease
Uncontrolled heart failure
Do not stop suddenly

Interactions

Medicines that can react with this one.

Serious1 medicineDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.

Verapamil
Together they can cause very slow heartbeat, heart block and heart failure.

Moderate1 medicineTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Digoxin
Carvedilol raises digoxin levels and both slow the heart.

Beta blockers