I have been prescribed carvedilol 3.125 mg twice a day, but I have ITP which is a low platelet disorder which I tend to bruise easily and do not clot, but this medication will be used for the vercies veins I have . I have had surgery twice to put the band for the bleeding. My question is this medication carvedilol used for that
It's my understanding that the goal is to keep the heart rate at 60 beats per minute. That means the pulse needs to be monitored. Every morning you check the heart rate and if it's below 60 bpm you would skip the dose. If it's above 60 bpm you take the dose. 60 bpm is still very low and can make you feel weak. I too was on nadalol beta blocker and had to lower the dosage by half but no longer take it. That seems to be the way to take the Carvedilol too so check with your doc. The 39 bpm is very low. You could take a break from the meds altogether. 39 bpm is dangerous. Check with your doc asap.
Thank you for adding your own personal experience with Carvedilol (Coreg).
I hope dearjoanie finds it helpful.
As you said - our medical providers are always the best source for information when it comes to managing our own unique case of cirrhosis and its complications and symptoms.
Cheers,
Hector
I've been on Coreg for 2 years and it needs to be dialed in with your doctor. My BP would drift as low as 70's / 50's at times. But other than that, my bleeding has stopped. As Hector mentioned, this disease process is very individualized, so keep in touch with your medical team.
Hi. Thank you for writing.
Note that a beta-blocker treatment will not stop or prevent varices. Varices are a complication of cirrhosis and can only be "cured" when a person no longer has cirrhosis. The good news is that varices and the portal hypertension can usually be controlled (reducing the blood flow and pressure) with use of a beta-blocker.
Only your doctor who knows the extent of your cirrhosis and portal hypertension can advise you on how your should titrate your meds to the proper dosage for you. Each of us is different and each person's liver disease should be treated on an individual basis.
Typical treatment as recommended by the AASLD is the use of the nonselective beta-blockers propranolol or nadolol which do have dosage guidelines for the reduction of portal blood flow. I myself used nadolol for 6 years before my liver transplant and am only experienced in its use. I haven't seen any guidelines for the use of carvedilol.
I would suggest calling your doctor's office and asking how you should be titrating the dose for the most effective preventative effect.
Beta-blocker treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of a bleed (as well as Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) "banding") so it is definitely something worth using to help you manage your portal hypertension. Hopefully now you are cured of your hep C and your liver disease will start to improve and you will have a reduction of your portal hypertension.
Best to you.
Hector