Eucardic

What is it?

An A!β-blocker available as scored tablets in 4 different strengths. Pink tablets, marked BM Kl, contain 3.125mg of carvedilo1; yellow tablets, marked BM F1, contain 6.25mg of carvedilol; peach coloured tablets, marked BM H3, contain 12.5mg of carvedilo1 and off-white tablets, marked BM D5, contain 25mg of carvedilol.

Medical Uses

Additional therapy for chronic heart failure which is stable in patients with euvolaemia, who are being treated with diuretics, digoxin or ACE inhibitors; prevention of angina, high blood pressure.

Dosage

Adults, heart failure, treatment must be commenced in hospital under supervision of specialist and dosages only increased if patient's condition has not worsened. Start with 3.125mg dose twice each day taken with food, for two weeks. Then gradually increase, if drug is tolerated, at a minimum of 2 week intervals to 6.25mg, then to 12.5mg, then to 25mg, all twice each day. The maximum is 50mg twice each day in patients weighing over 85kg, or 25mg twice each day in those weighing less than 85kg who have mild to moderate heart failure. All patients with severe heart failure should receive lower dose. For prevention of angina, 12.5mg twice each day for 2 days, then 25mg twice each day. For hypertension, 12.5mg once each day at first, for 2 days, then increasing to 25mg once a day. If required, dose can be increased gradually every two weeks to a maximum of 50mg, either once each day or as a divided dose.

Special Care

Heart failure patients, monitor kidney and heart function and signs of deterioration in condition when dosages are being increased; Also, when adjusting dose in ischaemic heart disease, insufficient kidney function, diffuse vascular disease. Stop drug gradually in ischaemic heart disease. Special care in patients with diabetes, unstable angina, hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid).

Avoid Use

Children, pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver disorder, phaeochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour), liver disease, metabolic acidosis, 2nd or 3rd degree heart block, severe low blood pressure, very slow heart beat rate, heart shock, extremely severe heart failure, COPD, asthma, sick sinus syndrome.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Rifampicin, general anaesthetics, cimetidine, clonidine withdrawal, verapamil, digoxin, class 1 antiarrhythmics, diltiazem, drugs that lower blood pressure.

Known Side Effects

Dizziness, fall in blood pressure when rising up after lying down, gastrointestinal disturbance, fluid retention, slow heartbeat, disturbance of vision, dry eyes, headaches, angina, heart block, fall in blood circulation to peripheries. Any adverse reaction should be reported to the Committee on the Safety of Medicines (CSM).