Carvedilol
- Class: Alpha/beta blocker
- Used for: heart failure
- Say it: KAR-veh-dih-lol
- Forms: tablet, capsule
CARVEDILOL CARVES the heart's workload down and DILATES the vessels at the same time.
Both halves are true: it blocks beta receptors and alpha-1 receptors together. The added dilation is why it suits heart failure, where a pure beta blocker can leave resistance high.
Alpha-1 blockade widens vessels while beta blockade slows the heart. Doing both is why it is one of the few beta blockers proven to prolong life in heart failure.
Side effects
Common: dizziness, fatigue, low blood pressure
Serious: slow heart rate, worse heart failure at first
Typical dose
3.125 mg twice daily, doubled every two weeks up to 25 mg twice daily
Double the dose no faster than every two weeks, and give it with food — that slows absorption and blunts the first-dose dizziness.
Check yourself
What does Carvedilol do that metoprolol does not?
- It also blocks alpha-1 receptors, widening blood vessels
- It blocks calcium channels
- It is beta-1 selective
- It acts as a diuretic as well
Show answer
A. It also blocks alpha-1 receptors, widening blood vessels
Carvedilol is non-selective and adds alpha-1 blockade on top. Option three describes metoprolol, not carvedilol — carvedilol is the less selective of the two.
See it, don't memorize it
The app has the mechanism comic and a patient case for Carvedilol – plus the name link, the class mnemonic, pronunciation you can hear, and a self-check, for the top 100 drugs. One purchase, no subscription, no account.