Cardioselective beta-blocker (β1 + β2 partial agonist) Pregnancy: Safety in human pregnancy not established; should not be used during pregnancy unless there is no safer alternative. Beta-blockers may reduce placental perfusion (risk of intrauterine death, immature/premature delivery) and cause neonatal hypoglycaemia, bradycardia and respiratory distress. Not recommended in breast-feeding mothers.

Celiprolol hydrochloride

Brand names: Celectol

Celiprolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker with partial beta-2 agonist and weak vasodilator activity, used in the management of hypertension.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 200 mg once daily (initial dose)

Route: Oral

Frequency: once daily

Max: 400 mg once daily

Initial dose 200 mg once daily, taken on rising with a glass of water, one hour before or two hours after meals. If response is inadequate, the dose may be increased to 400 mg once daily after 2 to 4 weeks. It may take several weeks for the full antihypertensive effect. Do not discontinue abruptly — reduce gradually over 7–10 days (over 1–2 weeks in ischaemic heart disease) to avoid acute worsening. Celiprolol therapy must be reported to the anaesthetist before general anaesthesia. Children: not recommended.

Dose adjustments

Renal

Reduce the dose by half in patients with creatinine clearance 15–40 ml/min (monitor heart rate; reconsider treatment if bradycardia <50–55 bpm at rest). Not recommended if creatinine clearance is less than 15 ml/min.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to celiprolol hydrochloride or to any of the excipients
Second or third degree heart block
Severe bradycardia (<45–50 beats per minute)
Sick sinus syndrome (including sinoatrial block)
Untreated phaeochromocytoma (only after alpha-receptor blockade)
Metabolic acidosis
Hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 100 mmHg)
Severe peripheral arterial circulatory disturbances; late stages of peripheral arterial occlusive disease and Raynaud's syndrome
Uncontrolled heart failure; cardiogenic shock
Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 15 ml/min)
Acute episode of asthma, severe bronchial asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Concomitant theophylline

Side effects

Headache and dizziness, somnolence, tremor (common)
Depression (common)
Significant decrease in blood pressure including orthostatic hypotension (common)
Hot flush (common)
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and discomfort, dry mouth (common)

Interactions

Theophylline — celiprolol should not be prescribed for patients being treated with theophylline
Anaesthetic agents (e.g. ether, cyclopropane, trichloroethylene) — special care; report celiprolol therapy to the anaesthetist before general anaesthesia
Other antihypertensive agents (particularly diuretics) — increased blood pressure monitoring recommended when combined

Clinical monograph

How it works

It selectively blocks beta-1 adrenoceptors to reduce heart rate and cardiac output while exerting partial beta-2 agonism that contributes to peripheral vasodilatation.

Prescribing in practice

As with other beta-blockers, avoid abrupt withdrawal, which can precipitate rebound angina, arrhythmia or myocardial infarction; taper gradually.
Use with caution in patients with a history of obstructive airways disease, and avoid in unstable or uncontrolled heart failure.
Absorption is reduced when taken with food, so consistent timing in relation to meals is advised; consult current prescribing references.

Monitoring

Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, with clinical assessment for signs of heart failure or bronchospasm.

Counselling the patient

Do not stop this medicine suddenly without medical advice.
Report breathlessness, wheeze, marked dizziness or a very slow pulse.
Take it consistently with respect to meals as advised.

Evidence & guidelines

Beta-blockers are an established option in the management of hypertension within NICE guidance, generally after other first-line agents.

Reference: NICE NG136; RCP / EDS guidance; ESC HT; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways