Question about Carvedilol

Carvedilol Dosage

by Old male - 2024-01-10 22:44:17

I've taken 12.5 twice daily for several years.  Dr. has never mentioned doubling this.

Angry Sparrow and Old Male

by R2D2 - 2024-01-11 00:52:50

This is very interesting, and I appreciate your input. It seems strange to me that my cardiologist just increased mine from 6.5 to 12.5 less than 2 weeks ago, and now wants to double it again. I feel that it's too soon, and we should give the current dosage time, for my body to at least adjust. He did tell me I could go slower and cut the pills in half but I'm not really anxious to take 24mg twice a day. 

Re: Carvedilol

by H van Dyk - 2024-01-11 08:11:48

Before I got my pacemaker, I was on betablocker Metaprolol. After the operation (March 2023) my medical team set me over on Carvedilol. Twice a day I have to take 12,5 mg. No problems so far.
I am not familiar with higher doses, but according to the manual the maximum doses is twice a day 50 mg. However, this also has to do with your weight and age.

I think...

by USMC-Pacer - 2024-01-11 13:43:28

I think your DR. is trying to increase your EF and improve your heart function. Carvedilol can do that. Are you on Entresto as well? My guess is he is trying to titrate you up to the highest dose you can tolerate to limit the amount of work your heart is doing so it can improve in function. 

It would be nice if doctors would explain their intentions, but lots don't unfortunately. Without asking, we can only speculate. Hope that helps..

A difficult decision

by Gemita - 2024-01-11 18:31:14

Janene, this is a difficult situation to be in since you want maximum meds to support your heart but not at any cost to the patient.  You have to be able to tolerate the medication and you don’t want to risk finding yourself unable to take other essential meds because your body is struggling with high doses of certain meds like Carvedilol.  

Can I ask whether you have had any further shocks or anti tachycardia pacing to get you back into rhythm?  If not and you are stable I would be inclined to ask your doctor if you can increase the dose more slowly, to tolerance and then stop.  Carvedilol, a beta blocker which widens blood vessels, may cause some dizziness, hypotension at higher doses.  Carvedilol isn’t a cardio selective beta blocker which means that it can affect other organs too like the lungs, so it might have the potential to cause more in the way of side effects at higher doses.  It does seem to have a good tolerance profile though

Carevedilol

by Julros - 2024-01-11 20:33:33

As a former cardiac nurse, I gave many a dose of carvedilol. As USMC-Pacer says, it is one of the preferred drugs for heart failure. It is common to up-titrate it as tolerated. I have seen as much as 50 milligrams taken twiice daily.

 It is best taken with food to slow absorption. As well as dilating the blood vessels in the heart, it can dllate the blood vessels in your legs, so do take time when rising, to allow your blood pressure to normalize when standing. 

My sister takes it without ill effect. My dad took it, in fact the doctor switched him to it from metoprolol, because it improved blood flow to his feet. 

Encouraging info

by R2D2 - 2024-01-12 16:52:03

In answer to the question whether I take Entresto, no I do not. It gave me hives. I refuse to take Jardiance for MANY reasons and don't really get excited about the prospect of being introduced to more meds. I found a research paper on Carvedilol that suggested that most people do well at or below 12.5mg twice daily, but when that dose is doubled, there were many side effect issues. The statistics were pretty convincing so I'm not sure I want to risk more. But I will try cutting the pills and taking a bit more at a time to adjust. The issue I have is that my cardiologist is making me take more even though I just started taking a higher dose 2 weeks ago and am not even used to that amount. Why do they do that? 

After voicing concerns, he said I could cut the pills and gradually up my dosage. But it shouldn't be that way. 

You could ...

by Pacer2019 - 2024-01-13 11:50:02

I guess my first question to the doctor is "why" .... what changed to drastically ? 

weigh the risk ..... to take it or not to take it .

what do you  mean you may not tolerate ? 
like get sick ? Die ? 
 

you could try it then stop if it bothers you