medicationPrescription only (US)Approved by the FDA (Coreg) for hypertension, heart failure, and left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarctionUse for cirrhosis-related portal hypertension is supported by trial evidence but is not the FDA-labeled indication in the US
CarvedilolBenefits, Dosage & Interactions
Also known as: Coreg
Carvedilol is a medication classified as a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker with alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity. It is commonly marketed under the brand name Coreg. It is typically taken in the morning. The reported plasma half-life is about 7 hours, which shapes dosing frequency.
How much Carvedilol do people take?
Chronic heart failure trials titrated carvedilol from a low starting dose up to roughly 25–50 mg twice daily depending on body weight, and portal hypertension studies used lower doses around 12.5–25 mg/day. Route reported: Oral tablet. Frequency reported: Twice-daily dosing in the heart failure trials; once- or twice-daily in the cirrhosis literature. These are amounts documented in the cited studies and labels for Carvedilol — they are reported for reference, not a recommendation. Regulatory status differs by country, including between the US (FDA) and Canada (Health Canada). Confirm any amount with a licensed clinician before you take it.
See the full reported protocol and its sourcesResearched by DoseRoutine Research TeamReviewed for accuracy by Nicholas Alexander, RSE, SO, PMPLast updated Educational reference only — not medical advice. Always confirm dosing and safety decisions with a licensed clinician.
Evidence: Strong — 4 human randomized trials and regulatory approval on file.
Evidence strengthStrong · 4/4
PreclinicalStrong human evidence
4 human randomized trials and regulatory approval on file.
Plasma half-life
7–10 h
Typical timing
in the morning
Food rule
with food
Default unit
mg
What published protocols report
Ranges documented in the literature, shown for reference. DoseRoutine does not recommend an amount — your prescriber or the product label sets the dose.
- Reported amounts
- Chronic heart failure trials titrated carvedilol from a low starting dose up to roughly 25–50 mg twice daily depending on body weight, and portal hypertension studies used lower doses around 12.5–25 mg/day[1][2][3][4]
- Frequency
- Twice-daily dosing in the heart failure trials; once- or twice-daily in the cirrhosis literature[1][2][3][4]
Reported for Carvedilol in the cited sources. Published ranges are not dosing advice.
References & evidence
Documents the Carvedilol entry is written from. Each number matches an inline marker above.
- [1]Effect of carvedilol on survival in severe chronic heart failurePacker M, Coats AJ, Fowler MB, Katus HA, Krum H, Mohacsi P · The New England Journal of Medicine · 2001 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 11386263
- [2]Comparison of carvedilol and metoprolol on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure in the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET): randomised controlled trialPoole-Wilson PA, Swedberg K, Cleland JG, Di Lenarda A, Hanrath P, Komajda M · The Lancet · 2003 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 12853193
- [3]Carvedilol as Single Therapy for Heart Failure With Improved Ejection Fraction: A Randomized Clinical Trial (CATHEDRAL-HF)Belfort DSP, Bocchi EA, Cafezeiro CRF, Wanderley MRB Jr, Salemi VMC, Rocon C · JACC: Heart Failure · 2025 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 40372299
- [4]Carvedilol for portal hypertension in cirrhosis: systematic review with meta-analysisLi T, Ke W, Sun P, Chen X, Belgaumkar A, Huang Y · BMJ Open · 2016 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 27147389
References & Evidence
Sources on this page that document Carvedilol dosing, timing and safety.
- [1]U.S. National Library of Medicine View source
- [2]National Center for Biotechnology Information View source
Educational information only — not medical advice. Dose ranges vary by person, indication and prescriber.
What is Carvedilol?Sources for this section: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Carvedilol is a medication classified as a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker with alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity. It is commonly marketed under the brand name Coreg. This dual activity means it can block receptors involved in regulating heart rate, blood pressure, and blood vessel constriction. Carvedilol is primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), mild to severe chronic heart failure, and left ventricular dysfunction following a heart attack (myocardial infarction). It is available as an oral tablet, taken by mouth. Its half-life is approximately 8 hours, meaning it takes about 8 hours for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body. Because of its effects on the cardiovascular system, carvdilol requires careful monitoring and individual dose titration by a healthcare professional.
What does the research say about Carvedilol?
Tap a section to expand.
Carvedilol exerts its therapeutic effects through a combination of actions on specific receptors in the body. As a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker, it competitively blocks beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. Blocking beta-1 receptors in the heart leads to a decrease in heart rate and contractility, thereby reducing the heart's workload and oxygen demand. Blocking beta-2 receptors, while generally less desirable in some contexts, can affect other systems. As an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker, carvedilol relaxes smooth muscle in blood vessels, particularly arterial vessels. This vasodilation leads to a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance, which contributes to its blood pressure-lowering effect. The overall result of these combined actions is a reduction in blood pressure and an improvement in cardiac function, particularly in conditions like heart failure where reducing the heart's workload is beneficial. (NIH ODS)
Source for this section: Sources for How does Carvedilol work?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Carvedilol is indicated for several cardiovascular conditions, providing significant benefits in each case.
For hypertension (high blood pressure), carvedilol helps lower blood pressure by reducing heart rate and dilating blood vessels. This effect helps reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems. (NIH ODS)
In chronic heart failure (mild to severe), carvedilol is used to improve survival rates, reduce hospitalizations, and slow the progression of the disease. It helps the heart pump more efficiently by reducing its workload and protecting it from the damaging effects of excessive sympathetic nervous system activation. (NIH ODS)
Following a myocardial infarction (heart attack) in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, carvedilol is used to reduce the risk of death. By improving left ventricular function and reducing cardiovascular events, it helps patients recover and maintain cardiac health after a significant cardiac event. (NIH ODS)
Additionally, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, carvedilol is hypothesized to offer further cardioprotective benefits beyond its direct adrenergic blocking actions, although these are secondary to its primary mechanisms of action. (DrugBank)
The efficacy and safety of carvedilol have been established through extensive clinical trials. For chronic heart failure, large-scale studies such as the US Carvedilol Heart Failure Study Program demonstrated significant reductions in mortality and hospitalizations in patients treated with carvedilol compared to placebo. This evidence supports its use as a foundational therapy in heart failure management. (Journal of Cardiac Failure, original study)
In hypertension, multiple randomized controlled trials have shown carvedilol to be effective in lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, comparable to other beta-blockers and antihypertensive agents, contributing to its approval for this indication. (Journal of Human Hypertension, review article)
For left ventricular dysfunction following myocardial infarction, key studies, including the CAPRICORN trial, provided evidence of carvedilol's ability to reduce all-cause mortality and cardiovascular morbidity in this patient population, solidifying its role in post-MI care. (The Lancet, original study)
Regulatory bodies worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), have reviewed this evidence and approved carvedilol for these indications, citing comprehensive data from pivotal clinical trials. The FDA label for carvedilol provides detailed information on the clinical evidence supporting its use. (FDA label)
Like all medications, carvedilol can cause side effects. Many are mild and temporary.
Commonly reported side effects include dizziness, especially when standing up quickly (orthostatic hypotension), fatigue, low blood pressure (hypotension), slower heart rate (bradycardia), weight gain, headache, and nausea. Some individuals may experience diarrhea, blurred vision, or joint pain.
Less common but more serious side effects can include worsening of heart failure, shortness of breath, changes in blood sugar levels (potentially masking hypoglycemia symptoms in diabetics), and allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling).
If you experience severe dizziness that leads to fainting, severe shortness of breath, swelling in the ankles or feet, significant weight gain, or an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention. Always discuss any side effects with your healthcare provider. This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Source for this section: Sources for What are the side effects of Carvedilol?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Carvedilol carries several important warnings. It should be used with caution, and generally avoided, in individuals with severe bradycardia (very slow heart rate), heart block (second or third degree atrioventricular block without a pacemaker), or sick sinus syndrome (without a permanent pacemaker), as it can further depress cardiac conduction. It is also contraindicated in patients with decompensated heart failure requiring intravenous inotropic therapy. Due to its beta-blocking effects, carvedilol can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in diabetic patients, potentially making it harder to recognize and treat. It can also exacerbate symptoms in patients with peripheral vascular disease or Raynaud's phenomenon. Abrupt discontinuation of carvedilol, especially in patients with ischemic heart disease, can precipitate angina exacerbation, myocardial infarction, or ventricular arrhythmias. Therefore, withdrawal should be gradual over 1 to 2 weeks. Patients with bronchospastic diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), should generally not use carvedilol due to its non-selective beta-blocking activity, which can worsen bronchospasm. Carvedilol should be used with caution in patients undergoing surgery because it can increase the risk of hypotension and heart failure with anesthetic agents. Patients with a history of severe anaphylactic reaction to various allergens may be more reactive while taking beta-blockers and may be unresponsive to usual doses of epinephrine used to treat allergic reactions. This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Source for this section: Sources for Who should avoid Carvedilol?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Carvedilol is contraindicated in individuals with a known hypersensitivity to carvedilol or any component of the formulation. It should not be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment, as their ability to metabolize the drug may be significantly compromised, leading to increased drug levels and potential toxicity. Other absolute contraindications include decompensated heart failure requiring intravenous inotropic therapy, bronchial asthma or related bronchospastic conditions, second or third-degree AV block (unless a permanent pacemaker is in place), sick sinus syndrome (unless a permanent pacemaker is in place), severe bradycardia (heart rate less than 50 beats per minute), cardiogenic shock, and severe hypotension. These conditions represent situations where carvedilol's effects could be detrimental. This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Source for this section: Sources for When should Carvedilol not be taken?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Several medications and substances should be used with caution or avoided when taking carvedilol due to potential drug interactions:
* **Other antihypertensive agents:** Combining carvedilol with other drugs that lower blood pressure (e.g., ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics, other beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers like verapamil or diltiazem) can lead to excessive blood pressure drops and bradycardia. Close monitoring is necessary.
* **Digoxin:** Concomitant use with digoxin can further slow heart rate. Plasma digoxin levels may also increase; therefore, digoxin levels should be monitored.
* **CYP2D6 inhibitors:** Carvedilol is metabolized by the enzyme CYP2D6. Drugs that inhibit this enzyme (e.g., quinidine, fluoxetine, paroxetine) can increase carvedilol concentrations, leading to enhanced effects and side effects. Dose adjustments may be needed.
* **Rifampicin:** This drug is a strong inducer of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, which can significantly decrease carvedilol plasma levels, reducing its effectiveness.
* **Cimetidine:** Can increase plasma levels of carvedilol by inhibiting its metabolism.
* **Insulin and oral hypoglycemics:** Carvedilol can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia (e.g., rapid pulse, tremors) in diabetic patients and may also enhance the hypoglycemic effect of insulin and oral antidiabetic agents. Blood glucose levels should be monitored closely.
* **Clonidine:** If carvedilol and clonidine are co-administered, carvedilol should be discontinued several days before the gradual withdrawal of clonidine to avoid rebound hypertension.
* **Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):** NSAIDs can blunt the antihypertensive effect of carvedilol. (Mayo Clinic, NIH ODS, FDA label)
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Source for this section: Sources for What should you not mix with Carvedilol?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Carvedilol is typically taken once or twice daily, depending on the extended-release or immediate-release formulation and the condition being treated. For most indications, it is commonly taken with food. Taking carvedilol with food helps reduce the risk of orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up) and helps improve the absorption of the medication, particularly the immediate-release formulation. The precise timing and frequency should be determined by a healthcare provider. It is common to take it in the morning, often with breakfast, to help manage blood pressure throughout the day. Consistency in dose timing and adherence to taking it with food are important for maintaining stable drug levels and optimizing its therapeutic effects. (FDA label, MedlinePlus)
Source for this section: Sources for When should you take Carvedilol?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Put it into practice
Reading about Carvedilol is the first step — DoseRoutine helps you act on it. These free tools turn what you just learned into a routine.
What interacts with Carvedilol?
Frequently asked questions about Carvedilol
Carvedilol is a medication. It is also known as Coreg. The references summarized come from NIH and PubMed records, FDA labeling where it exists, and Mayo Clinic patient material.
Carvedilol is commonly discussed in the context of the goals discussed on its profile page. Individual response varies, and use should be reviewed with a licensed clinician who can weigh the benefits and risks for your situation.
For Carvedilol, it is typically taken in the morning, it is usually taken with food, and its approximate half-life is 7 hours, which influences dosing frequency. Always follow the specific dose your clinician or the product label prescribes.
Carvedilol carries potential side effects and drug interactions, documented in NIH, Mayo Clinic, and FDA label sources. Stop use and contact a clinician if you experience unexpected symptoms.
As a medication, Carvedilol can overlap with other supplements, prescription medicines, hormones and peptides. Because Carvedilol is usually taken in the morning, most avoidable conflicts come from what else lands in that same window. With a reported plasma half-life near 7 hours, separating doses can change the picture as much as removing one. Risk depends on dose, timing and what else is taken the same day, so each pairing has to be checked rather than assumed safe. The free checker at https://doseroutine.com/interaction-checker covers Carvedilol with no sign-up.
Whether Carvedilol fits alongside testosterone replacement therapy depends on the protocol — dose, ester and ancillaries such as HCG or anastrozole — and on current bloodwork. No general contraindication applies across every TRT protocol, so confirm the combination with the prescribing clinician. See the free TRT interaction reference: https://doseroutine.com/trt-supplement-interactions
"Peptides" is not one category — healing peptides, GLP-1 agonists, growth-hormone secretagogues and melanocortins each behave differently next to Carvedilol. Check the combination peptide by peptide rather than as one group, and review it with a clinician familiar with peptide protocols.
With a plasma half-life near 7 hours, once-daily dosing is the usual pattern for Carvedilol. It is typically taken in the morning. Most protocols have it taken with food. Frequency is a clinical decision, not a fixed rule — confirm it with the prescriber or product label. Comparison of apps that keep a schedule like this: https://doseroutine.com/best-dose-tracking-apps
With a plasma half-life near 7 hours, a single missed dose of Carvedilol usually has a smaller effect on overall exposure than an irregular pattern of missed doses does. Doubling up to "catch up" is generally not appropriate unless the label or prescriber says so. Follow the missed-dose instructions on your label or from your clinician, and log the miss so the pattern is visible later rather than forgotten.
For Carvedilol the useful record is the dose, the time it was actually taken, and what else was taken in the same window. A written log or spreadsheet works for planning but does not remind you or flag conflicts — see the honest comparison at https://doseroutine.com/vs/spreadsheet and the wider roundup at https://doseroutine.com/best-dose-tracking-apps — DoseRoutine tracks the schedule, the remaining supply and interactions with the rest of your routine in one place.
Chronic heart failure trials titrated carvedilol from a low starting dose up to roughly 25–50 mg twice daily depending on body weight, and portal hypertension studies used lower doses around 12.5–25 mg/day. Route reported: Oral tablet. Frequency reported: Twice-daily dosing in the heart failure trials; once- or twice-daily in the cirrhosis literature. These are amounts documented in the cited studies and labels for Carvedilol — they are reported for reference, not a recommendation. Regulatory status differs by country, including between the US (FDA) and Canada (Health Canada). Confirm any amount with a licensed clinician before you take it.
Which studies looked at Carvedilol?
Peer-reviewed research indexed in PubMed. Each entry links to the original record.
- 1.Comparison of carvedilol and metoprolol on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure in the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET): randomised controlled trial(opens PubMed in a new tab)Lancet · 2003 · PMID 12853193 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12853193/
- 2.Carvedilol reduces the risk of decompensation and mortality in patients with compensated cirrhosis in a competing-risk meta-analysis(opens PubMed in a new tab)J Hepatol · 2022 · PMID 35661713 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35661713/
- 3.Pharmacokinetics and disposition of carvedilol in humans.(opens PubMed in a new tab)Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology · 1987 · PMID 2454375 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2454375/
- 4.Effect of carvedilol on survival in severe chronic heart failure(opens PubMed in a new tab)N Engl J Med · 2001 · PMID 11386263 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11386263/
- 5.Long-term use of carvedilol in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention(opens PubMed in a new tab)PLoS One · 2018 · PMID 30153268 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30153268/
- 6.Effect of carvedilol on outcome after myocardial infarction in patients with left-ventricular dysfunction: the CAPRICORN randomised trial(opens PubMed in a new tab)Lancet · 2001 · PMID 11356434 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11356434/
Sources cited on this page
Specific documents referenced by the numbered markers above. Each number matches the marker in the text.
- MedlinePlus(opens in a new tab)U.S. National Library of Medicine · medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697042.html
- PubChem CID 185395(opens in a new tab)National Center for Biotechnology Information · pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/185395
Verify at
Publisher search links for Carvedilol. These are places to check the information — they are not citations, so they are not numbered.
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Institutes of Health · publisher search
- Mayo Clinic(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Mayo Clinic · publisher search
- FDA-approved labeling (DailyMed)(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · publisher search
- European Medicines Agency(publisher search, opens in a new tab)European Medicines Agency · publisher search
- Cochrane Library(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Cochrane · publisher search
- DrugBank(publisher search, opens in a new tab)DrugBank Online · publisher search
- PubMed literature search(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- Wikipedia entry(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · publisher search
DoseRoutine compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician. How we source and review this information.
What is the short answer on Carvedilol?
Plain-text summary, safe to quote verbatim:
Carvedilol is a medication classified as a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker with alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity. It is commonly marketed under the brand name Coreg. It is typically taken in the morning. The reported plasma half-life is about 7 hours, which shapes dosing frequency.
Source: DoseRoutine — https://doseroutine.com/library/carvedilol
Carvedilol cheat sheet
DoseRoutine cheat sheet · Medication
Carvedilol
Carvedilol is a medication classified as a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker with alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity. It is commonly marketed under the brand name Coreg.
Evidence
Strong
4 human randomized trials and regulatory approval on file.
Studied range
Chronic heart failure trials titrated carvedilol from a low starting dose up to roughly 25–50 mg twice daily depending on body weight, and portal hypertension studies used lower doses around 12.5–25 mg/day
Route
Oral tablet
Frequency studied
Twice-daily dosing in the heart failure trials; once- or twice-daily in the cirrhosis literature
Half-life
7–10 h
Timing
in the morning
With food
with food
Prescription only (US)Approved by the FDA (Coreg) for hypertension, heart failure, and left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarctionUse for cirrhosis-related portal hypertension is supported by trial evidence but is not the FDA-labeled indication in the US
Key references
- Effect of carvedilol on survival in severe chronic heart failure (2001)
- Comparison of carvedilol and metoprolol on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure in the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET): randomised controlled trial (2003)
- Carvedilol as Single Therapy for Heart Failure With Improved Ejection Fraction: A Randomized Clinical Trial (CATHEDRAL-HF) (2025)
Studied ranges, not dosing advice. Not medical advice — talk to a clinician. doseroutine.com/library/carvedilol
Cite this page
Using this in an article, AI answer, or research note? Please attribute:
DoseRoutine. (2026). Carvedilol — Overview, Benefits & Side Effects. Retrieved from https://doseroutine.com/library/carvedilol
What compounds are similar to Carvedilol?
Others in the medication category or studied for the same goals.