Dicarz (Carvedilol)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Dicarz Used For?
Dicarz contains carvedilol, which belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. These medicines work by relaxing tightened blood vessels and slowing the heart rate, with the additional benefit of antioxidant effects.
Primary Uses
Dicarz is used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure (hypertension). For heart failure, it reduces the pressure the heart has to pump against and controls heart rate. Over 6 months or more, this reduces the size of an oversized heart and increases its efficiency, reducing chances of hospital admission and death from this condition. For high blood pressure, it helps lower blood pressure to prevent serious health problems like stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
How It Works
Dicarz works by relaxing tightened blood vessels and slowing the heart rate. It also has antioxidant properties that provide additional heart protection. The medicine is often used with other medications to treat heart failure.
Good to know: Dicarz is not addictive.
How to Take Dicarz
Take Dicarz exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The dosage depends on your condition and whether you’re taking other medicines. Always take it during or immediately after a meal at about the same time each day.
Dosage Instructions
For Heart Failure: Usually starts at 3.125 mg twice daily, increased every two weeks to 6.25 mg twice daily, then 12.5 mg twice daily, then 25 mg twice daily. For High Blood Pressure – Adults: Start with 12.5 mg daily for first two days, then 25 mg once daily. May increase every two weeks up to maximum 50 mg daily. Elderly: Start with 12.5 mg once daily, may increase every two weeks up to maximum dose. Swallow tablets whole or halved with water – do not crush or chew.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose and it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose as this may increase unwanted side effects.
Important: Never stop taking Dicarz suddenly. If you need to stop, your doctor will reduce the dose slowly over approximately two weeks.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- headache (usually mild at start of treatment)
- tiredness, drowsiness
- low blood pressure causing dizziness or lightheadedness
- fainting
- abnormal or blurry vision
- slow heart rate
- diarrhea
- nausea or vomiting
- bronchitis
- loss of blood sugar control in diabetics
- weight increase
- fluid retention with swelling of hands, feet, ankles, legs
- unusual hair loss or thinning
- dry or irritated eyes
- indigestion
- stomach pain or discomfort
- unusual weakness
- general pain or discomfort
- frequent urination or difficulty passing urine
- depression
- hallucination
- asthma
- excessive sweating
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- itching, dark urine, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin or eyes, flu-like feeling with no clear cause
- shortness of breath or swelling of mouth or tongue
- irregular heartbeat, slow heartbeat, or heartbeat pauses/stops
- swelling of feet or legs due to fluid buildup
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- severe blisters and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose, and genitals
- fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough with yellow-green phlegm and occasionally blood
- difficulty breathing or breathlessness that worsens when lying down
- chest tightness
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Dicarz should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Dicarz
Do not use if you: are allergic to carvedilol or any ingredients; are under 18 years old; have asthma or breathing problems; have history of allergic problems including hayfever; have very slow heart rate or uneven heartbeat; have certain heart conditions; have liver problems including liver failure; have very low blood pressure.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: unstable angina; low or widely varying blood pressure; poor circulation to fingers/toes; kidney problems; chronic bronchitis or emphysema; diabetes; low blood sugar episodes; thyroid disorders; severe allergic reactions; history of severe anaphylactic reactions; untreated phaeochromocytoma; skin disease like psoriasis.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It’s not known if Dicarz is harmful to unborn babies. Dicarz passes into breast milk, so discuss risks and benefits with your doctor if breastfeeding.
Surgery Warning: Tell your surgeon and anaesthetist well ahead of any planned surgery so they can account for your condition and medications.
Drug Interactions
Several medicines may interfere with Dicarz and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: When taken with grapefruit juice, the amount of Dicarz absorbed by your body may be increased.
- rifampicin (tuberculosis treatment)
- cimetidine (stomach ulcers/reflux)
- digoxin (heart failure)
- MAOIs like phenelzine and tranylcypromine (depression)
- clonidine (high blood pressure, migraine, menopause)
- diltiazem (high blood pressure/angina)
- verapamil (high blood pressure/angina/fast heart rate)
- ciclosporin or tacrolimus (immune system)
- aspirin and NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen
- asthma medicines like salbutamol and salmeterol
- fluoxetine or paroxetine (depression)
- heart rhythm drugs including disopyramide, mexiletine, lignocaine, flecainide, amiodarone
- diabetes medicines including insulin, glibenclamide, metformin, gliclazide, glipizide
- other blood pressure medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Dicarz can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol, so special precautions are needed.
Alcohol
Talk to your doctor about drinking alcohol before taking Dicarz. Alcohol can change how the medicine affects your condition, and your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use machines until you know how Dicarz affects you. Dicarz may affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery when first started or when the dosage is increased.
Storage
Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Dicarz, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine. Overdose symptoms may include low blood pressure causing dizziness or fainting, very slow heart rate, difficulty breathing, vomiting, shock, and seizures.
Frequently Asked Questions
For heart failure, Dicarz reduces heart size and increases efficiency over 6 months or more. For blood pressure, your doctor will monitor you carefully and may adjust the dose every two weeks until the right level is reached.
Yes, you should take Dicarz during or immediately after a meal. Taking it on an empty stomach may increase the risk of side effects.
No, Dicarz is not addictive.
Never stop taking Dicarz suddenly. If you need to stop, your doctor will advise you to reduce the dose slowly over approximately two weeks to avoid potentially serious complications.
Talk to your doctor about drinking alcohol before taking Dicarz. Alcohol can change how the medicine affects your condition, and your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake.
Yes, weight increase is listed as a common side effect of Dicarz. You may also experience fluid retention causing swelling of hands, feet, ankles, and legs.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.