# Carvedilol: veterinary dose and monograph > Carvedilol is a veterinary cardiovascular drug. A third-generation beta-blocker that is non-selective (β1 + β2) AND blocks alpha-1 receptors (vasodilation), plus has antioxidant properties — used in DOGS for chronic heart failure (notably dilated cardiomyopathy) and arrhythmia, on the… Indications include chronic, COMPENSATED heart failure (dilated cardiomyopathy) — long-term myocardial protection (specialist); tachyarrhythmias / rate control as an adjunct; systemic hypertension (combined beta/alpha blockade). This monograph lists 1 reference dose for dogs, each with route, frequency and source. Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/carvedilol · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01 ## At a glance - **Drug class:** Cardiovascular - **Also known as:** Carvil, Carca, Coreg - **Species with doses:** Dogs - **General dose range:** 0.1–0.4 mg/kg PO q12h (titrate up slowly) — check the species tables for the indication - **Routes:** PO - **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026 ## Indications - Chronic, COMPENSATED heart failure (dilated cardiomyopathy) — long-term myocardial protection (specialist) - Tachyarrhythmias / rate control as an adjunct - Systemic hypertension (combined beta/alpha blockade) ## Carvedilol dose by species Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them. ### Dogs *Carvedilol doses for dogs* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Chronic compensated CHF / arrhythmia (slow up-titration) | 0.2–0.4 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — | - Chronic compensated CHF / arrhythmia (slow up-titration): Papich 5e: start 0.2 mg/kg PO q24h, increasing gradually to a maximum of 0.4 mg/kg q12h (1.5 mg/kg q12h was more effective in one report, but some dogs are refractory). Plumb’s p.203: start 0.2 mg/kg q12h (or ¼–½ of a 3.125 mg tablet q12h) and titrate slowly toward 0.8 mg/kg q12h (Rush); many dogs with CHF will not tolerate up-titration. Watch for decompensation; do not stop abruptly. Papich: no cat dose established. ## Contraindications Decompensated/acute congestive heart failure (stabilise first), significant bradyarrhythmia / high-grade AV block, hypotension, and bronchospastic disease (non-selective). Abrupt withdrawal (rebound). Diabetes (masks hypoglycaemia). Known hypersensitivity. ## Species-specific warnings > **Caution:** Dogs: Only introduce in compensated heart failure and titrate slowly under cardiology guidance — abrupt or high starting doses can precipitate decompensation. ## Adverse effects - Worsening heart failure if started too high / too fast (negative inotropy) - Bradycardia, hypotension, lethargy - Bronchoconstriction (non-selective) - GI upset; masks hypoglycaemia ## Drug interactions - Calcium-channel blockers (diltiazem)/other negative chronotropes: additive bradycardia/AV block/myocardial depression - Digoxin: carvedilol raises digoxin levels (additive AV slowing) - Other antihypertensives: additive hypotension - CYP2D6 inhibitors: increased carvedilol levels ## Pregnancy and lactation Beta-blockers may cause fetal bradycardia/growth effects; use only if maternal benefit outweighs risk. ## Monitoring - Heart rate, rhythm (ECG), blood pressure during up-titration - Signs of worsening CHF (resting respiratory rate, effort) at each dose increase - Echocardiographic function over time (specialist follow-up) - Never discontinue abruptly (taper) ## Toxicity and overdose Overdose: profound bradycardia, AV block, hypotension, heart failure, bronchospasm and CNS depression. Crucially, even at therapeutic doses, starting too high or up-titrating too fast can acutely DECOMPENSATE a heart-failure patient — the reason for the slow, cautious dosing schedule. Management: GLUCAGON is the key antidote for beta-blocker overdose; plus atropine, IV fluids, high-dose catecholamines, and consider high-dose insulin-euglycaemia therapy/IV lipid emulsion for refractory cases. Treat bronchospasm; continuous ECG. For decompensation, manage heart failure and reduce/withdraw the drug. ## Clinical pearls - A combined beta/alpha-blocker with antioxidant action used (cardiology-guided) for chronic DCM heart failure — the goal is long-term remodelling benefit, not acute relief - START LOW, GO SLOW: introduce only in COMPENSATED patients and up-titrate over weeks; starting too high can tip a heart-failure dog into decompensation - Glucagon is the overdose antidote (beta-blocker class) - Avoid in asthma/bronchospastic disease (non-selective) and never stop abruptly ## Mechanism of action Non-selectively blocks β1 and β2 adrenoceptors AND blocks α1 receptors (causing vasodilation that offsets some beta-blocker afterload effects), and is an antioxidant/free-radical scavenger. In chronic heart failure, gradual beta-blockade reduces the harmful chronic sympathetic overdrive, lowers heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand, and over time improves ventricular remodelling/function — the same evidence-based rationale as in human cardiology. ## Formulations and products - 3.125 mg tablet - 6.25 / 12.5 / 25 mg tablet - Carca / Carvil — 3.125 / 6.25 / 12.5 / 25 mg tablet, Tablet (human-label) - Coreg — 3.125 / 6.25 / 12.5 / 25 mg tablet, Tablet (human-label) ## Storage Tablets: 15–30 °C, dry, protect from light. ## Before you use this dose > **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision. ## Other cardiovascular drugs - [Amlodipine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/amlodipine) - [Atenolol](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/atenolol) - [Benazepril](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/benazepril) - [Captopril](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/captopril) - [Digoxin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/digoxin) - [Diltiazem](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/diltiazem) - [Dobutamine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/dobutamine) - [Dopamine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/dopamine) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the dose of Carvedilol for dogs? Reference doses for Carvedilol in dogs: 0.2–0.4 mg/kg PO q12h (Chronic compensated CHF / arrhythmia (slow up-titration)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use. ### When should Carvedilol not be used? Decompensated/acute congestive heart failure (stabilise first), significant bradyarrhythmia / high-grade AV block, hypotension, and bronchospastic disease (non-selective). Abrupt withdrawal (rebound). Diabetes (masks hypoglycaemia). Known hypersensitivity. ### What are the side effects of Carvedilol in animals? Worsening heart failure if started too high / too fast (negative inotropy); Bradycardia, hypotension, lethargy; Bronchoconstriction (non-selective); GI upset; masks hypoglycaemia. ## Sources - Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook - Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition - Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition --- VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.