Carvedilol

Carvedilol For Dogs: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker with the afterload reduction properties of an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker.
• Additional antioxidant properties may decrease the oxidant stress associated with heart failure.

Uses of Carvedilol For Dogs

• Management of persistent heart failure brought on by valvular disease or DCM.
• Antihypertensive medication for patients who do not react to first treatment.

Dose of Carvedilol For Dogs

Dogs:

Start at 0.05–0.1 mg/kg p.o. q12h and gradually increase at 2-week intervals to a target dose of 0.3–0.4 mg/kg p.o. q12h, if tolerated.

Doses of 0.3 mg/kg p.o. q12h and then increased at intervals up to 1.1 mg/kg p.o. q12h in ACVIM stage B2 (cardiac remodeling, no signs of cardiac failure) degenerative mitral valve disease, has been reported.

Cats:

No information is available.

Side Effects of Carvedilol in Dogs and Cats

Potential adverse effects include :

• Lethargy.
• diarrhea.
• bradycardia.
• AV block.
• myocardial depression.
• aggravation of heart failure.
• syncope.
• hypotension.
• bronchospasm.
• A decrease in glomerular filtration rate might make existing renal impairment worse.

Contraindications of Carvedilol in Dogs and Cats

• Bronchial diseases, bradyarrhythmias, and acute or decompensated heart failure.
• Combined administration of alpha-adrenergic agonists is not recommended (e.g. adrenaline).

Some Notes:

• If carvedilol is administered alongside calcium-channel blockers, there is an increased risk of bradycardia, severe hypotension, heart failure, and AV block.
• The effect of hypotension may be countered with NSAIDs.
• Digoxin treatment concurrently increases bradycardia’s potency.
• Carvedilol might make insulin’s hypoglycemic impact stronger.
• Cyclosporin’s plasma concentration is raised with carvedilol.
• Plasma concentrations of carvedilol can be lowered by rifampin.
• The hypotensive effect of carvedilol is enhanced by many agents that depress myocardial activity including anesthetic agents, phenothiazines, antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, and diazepam.