Carvedilol

Carvedilol is a prescription drug from the group of beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure (arterial hypertension), angina pectoris and chronic heart failure. It differs from other beta-blockers by having additional effects as an alpha-blocker.

Carvedilol is used to treat essential hypertension and angina pectoris. Carvedilol is also approved in combination with diuretics and ACE inhibitors for the treatment of chronic heart failure.

Off-label use: In rosacea , there is good experience in patients with flushing symptoms.

(rosacea): 6.25mg 1-3x/day p.o.

Intensification of a prinzmetal angina, shortness of breath, stuffy nose, aching limbs, intensification of intermittent claudication; occurrence or intensification of Raynaud's syndrome.

Rarely, visual disturbances, confusion, psychosis, edema, changes in liver values, thrombopenia and leukopenia occur. Patients with heart failure or impaired kidney function may experience deterioration of renal function, rarely renal failure.

Absolute contraindications are decompensated heart failure, heart failure with a resting heart rate < 50/min, acute pulmonary embolism, Prinzmetal angina, cor pulmonale, bronchial asthma, untreated pheochromocytoma, clinically relevant liver dysfunction, intravenous therapy with antiarrhythmics, complete left or right bundle branch block, acute inflammatory heart disease, hemodynamically effective heart valve defects, persons under 18 years of age.

Relative contraindications are unstable angina pectoris, 1st degree AV block, peripheral vascular diseases and hypothyroidism.

CarLich (D), Dilatrend (D, A, CH), Dimetil (D), Querto (D), Generics (D, A, CH)

1. Hsu CC et al (2011) Carvedilol for the treatment of refractory facial flushing and persistent erythema of rosacea. Arch Dermatol 147:1258-1260.
2. Hsu CC et al (2012) Pronounced facial flushing and persistent erythema of rosacea effectively treated by carvedilol, a nonselective β-adrenergic blocker. J Am Acad Dermatol 67:491-493.