Solid Dosage Forms-Cartrand

Composition:

Each tablet of Cartrand contains 6.25 mg Carvedilol

Properties:

Cartrand is a beta blocker and vasodilator. It widens blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and reduces the effort needed for the heart to pump blood around the body.

Indications:

Cartrand is used in these cases:

  • Hypertension
  • Angina (Chest pain)
  • Heart failure

Dosage:

  • Hypertension: The usual starting dose in adults is 12.5 mg once

a day for the first two days, then 25 mg once a day. If necessary, the

dose may be increased to a maximum of 50 mg daily.

In elderly the doctor may increase the dose more slowly.

  • Angina: The usual starting dose is 12.5 mg twice a day for the first two days, then 25 mg twice a day. If necessary, the dose may be increased slowly to the maximum of 100 mg. The recommended maximum dose for elderly patients is 25 mg twice a day.
  • Heart failure: The usual starting dose is 3.125 mg twice a day for two weeks. This dose may be increased in stages every two weeks. The maximum recommended dose is between 25 mg and 50 mg twice a day, depending on the weight. The maximum recommended dose in severe heart failure is 25 mg twice a day.
  • If Cartrand treatment is stopped for more than two weeks, the

dose should be restarted at 3.125 mg twice daily and slowly

increased as above.

  • In liver problems the doctor may decide a lower dose than those

stated above.

Contraindications:

Cartrand is not used in these cases:

  • Hypersensitivity to Carvedilol
  • Asthma or breathing problems due to other lung problems
  • Unstable heart failure
  • Cardiogenic shock
  • Very slow heart beat or very low blood pressure

Side effects:

Cartrand can cause these side effects:

  • Heart problems, the signs include chest pains, tiredness,

shortness of breath and swelling arms and legs

  • Severe breathing difficulties including pneumonia
  • Serious kidneys problems that may cause to urinate less, feel drowsy, breathless, weak or lose appetite

Precautions:

Tell your doctor before taking Cartrand in these cases:

  • Heart failure including (low blood pressure or fluid retention)
  • Ischaemic heart disease
  • Kidney problems
  • Diabetes
  • Breathing problems
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon (cold hands and feet)
  • Acute inflammatory heart disease or obstruction of heart valves
  • Orthostatic hypotension
  • Serious allergic reaction or psoriasis
  • Pregnancy and breast-feeding
  • Children under 18 years old

Drug interactions:

Tell your doctor if you take other medicines:

  • Medicines for heart or blood pressure including alpha blockers
  • Other medicines which can cause lowering of blood pressure
  • Carbamazepine
  • Cinacalcet
  • Bupropion
  • Fuconazole
  • Clonidine
  • Antibiotics such as rifampicin or erythromycin
  • Cimetidine

Package:

Each box of Cartrand contains 3 × 10 Tablets

Storage:

Store at a temperature below 30 C