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Overview: Acebutolol is used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart rhythm problems. It is a beta-blocker medicine that works by slowing your heart rate. Common side effects include tiredness, dizziness, and upset stomach. Contact your health care provider if you have trouble breathing, fainting, or swelling in your hands, feet, or legs.

Uses

What is acebutolol used for?

Acebutolol is commonly used for the following conditions.

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Abnormal heart rhythm (ventricular arrhythmia)

Acebutolol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does acebutolol work (mechanism of action)?

Acebutolol blocks beta-1 receptors in your heart. These receptors normally bind to hormones called catecholamines. When catecholamines bind to these receptors, it causes your heart to beat harder and faster. Blocking these receptors helps your heart beat more slowly. This can help prevent abnormal heart rhythm, lower blood pressure, and may reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke. 

How is acebutolol supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Sectral

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 200 mg, 400 mg oral capsules

How should I store acebutolol?

Acebutolol should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container. Protect from light. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of acebutolol?

The most common side effects of acebutolol are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache 
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Shortness of breath
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea

There may be other side effects of acebutolol that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of acebutolol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of acebutolol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

New or Worsening Heart Failure. Acebutolol may worsen existing heart failure or cause fluid buildup in your body. For people with underlying heart disease or heart damage, acebutolol can possibly lead to heart failure over time. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness

Heart Rate Changes. Acebutolol can make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bradycardia. 

  • Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or easily tired 
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Decreased Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Acebutolol may cause low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or tired

Peripheral Vascular Disease. Acebutolol can cause the heart to pump less blood to the rest of the body. This can make blood flow problems to the arms, legs and intestines worse. 

Breathing Problems. Acebutolol may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm) instead of relaxing, which can be serious. Stop taking acebutolol and contact your health care provider right away if you have trouble breathing.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Acebutolol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking acebutolol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use acebutolol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take acebutolol.

  • Sectral
  • Acebutolol
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific acebutolol products they stock.

Slow Heartbeat. Acebutolol should not be used if your heart is beating too slow (bradycardia).

Heart Block. Acebutolol should not be used if the electrical signals in your heart move too slow (heart block).

Severe or Worsening Heart Failure. Acebutolol should not be used if your heart failure is severe or getting worse, causing you to feel very tired, have trouble breathing, or swelling in your legs. 

Cardiogenic Shock. Acebutolol should not be used if you have a life-threatening condition called cardiogenic shock where your heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body.

What should I know about acebutolol before using it?

Do not take acebutolol unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share acebutolol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep acebutolol out of the reach of children.

Acebutolol can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how acebutolol affects you.

Stopping acebutolol suddenly may lead to chest pain, heart attack and death in people with heart disease. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your health care provider first. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using acebutolol?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if acebutolol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart or circulation problems
  • Breathing problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Thyroid problems

Diabetes. Acebutolol can decrease early signs of low blood sugar, such as fast heartbeat, and make it more likely for the low blood sugar to be serious, especially for people with diabetes.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how acebutolol could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Acebutolol passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop acebutolol.

Interactions

Does acebutolol interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between acebutolol and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect acebutolol. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking acebutolol.

Does acebutolol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking acebutolol.

  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which are contained in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • An alpha-adrenergic agonist, such as phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine and others, which are in many prescription and OTC products for cold and congestion
  • Any medicine for irregular heart rate or rhythm
  • Any medicine for high blood pressure 
  • Any medicine for diabetes

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with acebutolol. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much acebutolol?

If you or someone else has used too much acebutolol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of acebutolol?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.