What is "carvedilol"

n. (context medicine English) A nonselective beta blocker

n. beta blocker that can reduce the progression of heart failure in individuals whose disease is not advanced

Carvedilol, sold under the brand name Coreg among others, is a beta blocker used for treating mild to severe congestive heart failure (CHF), left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) following heart attack in people who are otherwise stable, and for treating high blood pressure.

Beta blockers block the beta receptors on heart muscle and other cells, making them more relaxed and less responsive to stress hormones. Carvedilol also blocks alpha receptors, which are found on blood vessels, and relaxes the blood vessels, dilating them, which lowers blood pressure and vascular resistance.

It is a nonselective beta blocker/ alpha-1 blocker and belongs to the third generation of betablockers.

Carvedilol was discovered by Fritz Wiedemann at Boehringer Mannheim and was initially approved in the U.S. in 1995. On October 20, 2006, the FDA approved an extended-release formulation.