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What Is Carvedilol?

Carvedilol is a prescription alpha and beta adrenergic blocker. It is approved for mild to severe chronic heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction in clinically stable patients, and hypertension. Immediate-release tablets come in 3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, and 25 mg strengths and are taken with food.

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What Is Carvedilol?

Carvedilol is a prescription alpha and beta adrenergic blocker. It is approved for mild to severe chronic heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction in clinically stable patients, and hypertension. Immediate-release tablets come in 3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, and 25 mg strengths and are taken with food.

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How Does Carvedilol Affect the Heart and Blood Vessels?

Carvedilol blocks beta receptors and alpha1 adrenergic receptors. Beta blockade reduces heart rate and cardiac output, while alpha1 blockade causes vasodilation and lowers peripheral vascular resistance. These actions reduce blood pressure and cardiac workload. The exact basis for its survival benefit in chronic heart failure is not fully established.

Which Conditions Are Treated With Carvedilol?

Carvedilol treats mild to severe chronic heart failure of ischemic or cardiomyopathic origin. It also reduces cardiovascular mortality in clinically stable patients with left ventricular ejection fraction of 40 percent or less after myocardial infarction. Carvedilol is also approved for hypertension, alone or with other antihypertensive medicines.

How Are Carvedilol Tablets Dosed?

Heart failure treatment starts at 3.125 mg twice daily and increases at intervals of at least two weeks toward 25 mg twice daily as tolerated. Hypertension starts at 6.25 mg twice daily and can increase to 25 mg twice daily. Post-infarction left ventricular dysfunction commonly starts at 6.25 mg twice daily. Tablets are taken with food.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Carvedilol?

Carvedilol can cause slow heart rate, low blood pressure, worsening heart failure, fluid retention, and dizziness. Abrupt discontinuation can worsen coronary artery disease and trigger serious cardiac events. Contraindications include bronchial asthma, advanced heart block, severe bradycardia without a pacemaker, cardiogenic shock, decompensated heart failure requiring intravenous inotropes, and severe liver impairment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Carvedilol

Is carvedilol a beta blocker?

Yes. Carvedilol blocks beta receptors and also has alpha1 adrenergic blocking activity.

What conditions does carvedilol treat?

Carvedilol treats chronic heart failure, selected left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction, and hypertension.

Should carvedilol be taken with food?

Yes. Immediate-release carvedilol tablets are taken with food to reduce orthostatic effects.

Can carvedilol be stopped suddenly?

No. Abrupt discontinuation can worsen coronary artery disease and trigger serious cardiac events.

References

Carvedilol. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697042.html. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

Carvedilol. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/2585. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

Carvedilol. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534868/. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

DailyMed - CARVEDILOL tablet, film coated. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=52785a22-ddca-4f5b-8579-5974df2a9a4e. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

DailyMed - COREG (carvedilol) tablet, film coated. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=07c619c6-4a0c-445e-94fa-664a54f68a39. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.