Site Accessibility Features: Skip to page menus
Site Menus:Skip to page content
Veterinarians Stewartsville, NJ | Animal Health Center
Site Content: Skip to page footer
Carvedilol
What is carvedilol?
Carvedilol is a heart medication that may be prescribed off label in dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and turkeys for the treatment of heart conditions including abnormal heart beat frequencies (arrhythmias) and heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Carvedilol is classified as an alpha blocker and beta blocker. There are no veterinary brands of carvedilol, but several generic human brands.
Many drugs are commonly prescribed for off-label use in veterinary medicine. “Off label” means the drug is being used in a way that has not been reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Health Canada. In these instances, follow your veterinarian’s directions and cautions carefully, as they may be significantly different from those on the label.
How do I give my pet carvedilol?
This medication should start having effects within 1 to 2 hours; however, you will not see the effects outwardly. Your veterinarian will need to run further tests to determine if the medication is working appropriately.
If you miss a dose of carvedilol, give it as soon as you remember, and then continue with the regular dosing schedule. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume the regular dosing schedule. Do not give the pet two doses at once.
Carvedilol may cause the following side effects:
Serious adverse reactions associated with this drug may occur without warning and could, in rare cases, lead to death. If any of the following signs develop, stop giving carvedilol and contact your veterinarian immediately:
These signs are rare but may indicate the starting dose of carvedilol is too high.
Drug sensitivities can develop over time with repeated exposure. Your pet may have no reaction after the first few doses but may develop a sensitivity later. It is important to watch for signs of an allergic reaction over the entire course of treatment.
This short-acting medication should stop working within 24 hours, although effects may be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.
It is not recommended to stop this medication abruptly.
This medication should NOT BE USED in pets who:
This medication should be USED WITH CAUTION in pets who:
Certain medications may interact with carvedilol and so it is important to tell your veterinarian about any medications (including vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies) that your dog is taking before starting any new treatment.
Several medications should be used with caution when given with carvedilol, including:
Routine testing for animals using carvedilol includes:
At home, monitor for any side effects such as those noted above. If any side effects occur, discontinue use of the medication and contact your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian will let you know when they want to reassess your pet to ensure the medication is working and not causing side effects.
If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the medication, call your veterinary office immediately. If they are not available, follow their directions in contacting an emergency facility.
© Copyright 2025 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. This content written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeLearn. This content does not contain all available information for any referenced medications and has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, or Health Canada Veterinary Drugs Directorate. This content may help answer commonly asked questions, but is not a substitute for medical advice, or a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health. Created on Nov 21, 2024.
Site Sidebar: Skip to end of sidebar
Share
Site Footer: Skip to top of page
© Copyright 2025 ePet Websites | Powered by WebDVM