Kredex

Generic Name: Carvedilol
Product Name: Kredex

Indication

Kredex is used in the treatment of high blood pressure. It is also used in conjunction with other agents in the treatment of mild to severe congestive heart failure (CHF).

Action

Carvedilol is from the family of drugs known as beta-blockers. It blocks receptors in the heart, causing it to slow down. Carvedilol also has activity on other receptors known as alpha-receptors, which are found on blood vessels. It is via alpha-receptor blockade that it reduces blood pressure.

Dose advice

Hypertension:

once daily dosing is recommended

Adults

12.5mg daily for the first two days
25mg daily thereafter
if needed, dosage may be increased at two week intervals to a maximum of 50mg/day
50mg can be given as one dose or divided doses

Elderly

12.5mg daily initially
if response is inadequate dose can be increased at two weekly intervals to a maximum of 50mg/day
An alternative to increasing dose is to combine Carvedilol with other antihypertensive agents such as diuretics.

Symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF):

dose must be individualised and closely monitored by doctor during up-titration
doses of all other cardiac medications should be stabilised before initiating Carvedilol
starting dose is 3.125mg twice daily for two weeks
if this dose is tolerated, increase at two-weekly intervals to 6.25mg twice daily then 12.5mg, then 25mg
in patients less than 85kg, 25mg twice daily is the maximum recommended dosage
patients heavier than 85kg may have their dose increased to 50mg twice daily
all patients with severe CHF should have no more than 25mg twice daily
before each dose increase patients should be evaluated for worsening heart failure, vasodilation and bradycardia
if side effects occur, it may be necessary to reduce the dose or even stop Carvedilol temporarily
if it is stopped for longer than two weeks, therapy should be restarted at 3.125mg and titrated as before
dosage adjustments are not required for patients with renal failure, however close observation and caution are necessary in these patients