Role of carvedilol controlled-release in cardiovascular disease.
Carvedilol is a beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptor antagonist with additional vasodilatory alpha(1)-blocking properties. Carvedilol was shown to be more efficacious than a traditional beta-blocker for treating heart failure and improving myocardial function. Carvedilol is the only agent in its class to have been demonstrated to significantly reduce mortality and morbidity in post-myocardial-infarction patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Moreover, carvedilol does not exhibit the carbohydrate and lipid disturbances observed with other beta-blockers. Originally available as a twice-daily formulation, a controlled-release, once-daily formulation of carvedilol is now available, which has equivalent efficacy and safety, as demonstrated by numerous studies. The convenience of once-daily dosing is expected to contribute to patient adherence, thereby potentially improving long-term clinical outcomes.
Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center, 10833 LeConte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA. gfonarow@mednet.ucla.edu
Gregg C
GC
Fonarow
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077261:Carvedilol; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002227:Carbazoles; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011412:Propanolamines; D000077261:Carvedilol