Carvedilol for Pre-primary Prophylaxis of Esophageal Varices in Cirrhosis

Carvedilol will be administered orally at a start dose of 3.125 mg twice daily. After 1 week, this will increased if systolic blood pressure does not fall below 90 mm Hg. The patient will receive the maximum tolerated dose of carvedilol with a maximum of 6.25 BD.

The placebo tablets will be identical to the carvedilol tablets. First the patients will receive placebo in the dose of 1 BD. Then depending on his tolerance it will be increased to a maximum of 2 BD.