Carvedilol
Also Known As: Carvedilol, Coreg, Dilatrend, Eucardic, Carloc
Carvedilol is a non-selective beta blocker/alpha-1 blocker indicated in the treatment of mild to moderate congestive heart failure (CHF). It is marketed under various trade names including Carvil (Zydus Cadila), Coreg (GSK), Dilatrend (Roche), Eucardic (Roche), and Carloc (Cipla) as a generic drug (as of September 5, 2007 in the U.S.)., and as a controlled-release formulation, marketed in the US as Coreg CR (GSK). Carvedilol was discovered by Robert R. Ruffolo, Jr. It has had a significant role in the treatment of Congestive heart failure.
Carvedilol is both a beta blocker (β1, β2) and alpha blocker (α1):
- Norepinephrine stimulates the nerves that control the muscles of the heart by binding to the β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors. Carvedilol blocks the binding to those receptors,[2] which both slows the heart rhythm and reduces the force of the heart's pumping. This lowers blood pressure thus reducing the workload of the heart, which is particularly beneficial in heart failure patients.
- Norepinephrine also binds to the α1-adrenergic receptors on blood vessels, causing them to constrict and raise blood pressure. Carvedilol blocks this binding to the α1-adrenergic receptors too,[3] which also lowers blood pressure.
Relative to other beta blockers, carvedilol has minimal inverse agonist activity.[4] This suggests that carvedilol has a reduced negative chronotropic and inotropic effect compared to other beta blockers, which may decrease its potential to worsen symptoms of heart failure. However, to date this theoretical benefit has not been established in clinical trials, and the current version of the ACC/AHA guidelines on congestive heart failure management does not give preference to carvedilol over other beta-blockers.
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