Sectral (acebutolol)

• Sectral is used alone or with other drugs to treat high blood pressure and arrhythmias. It also is used to treat chest pain due to coronary artery disease (angina) in which the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart are inadequate for the heart to pump normally.

What brand names are available for acebutolol?

Sectral

Is acebutolol available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for acebutolol?

Yes

Most adverse reactions to Sectral have been mild, not required discontinuation of therapy, and tended to decrease as the duration of treatment increases. Adverse events include:

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Excessive tiredness
• Headache
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Upset stomach
• Muscle aches

Possible serious side effects include:

• Heart failure
• Slow heart rate
• Heart block
• Heart attack
• Abnormal heart beats
• Raynaud phenomenon
• Lupus erythematous

With serious adverse events such as shortness of breath or wheezing, swelling of the feet and lower legs and chest pain, it is advisable to contact a doctor immediately.

• Sectral can be taken with or without food, usually once or twice daily.
• The dosage of Sectral should be reduced in patients with dysfunction of the kidneys or liver since kidney or liver disease reduce the elimination of Sectral.

• The use of beta blockers together with fenoldopam (Corlopam), a drug used to manage severe high blood pressure, may result in unexpectedly low blood pressure since beta-adrenergic blocking drugs add to the blood pressure-lowering effects of fenoldopam.
• With concomitant use of clonidine (Catapres) and beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, severe high blood pressure may occur if patients abruptly discontinue the clonidine. Because of this effect, it is advisable to discontinue beta-adrenergic blocking drugs prior to starting clonidine.
• Using epinephrine (Adrenalin, EpiPen) and beta-adrenergic blocking drugs together causes high blood pressure and a slow heartbeat since the beta-adrenergic stimulating effects of epinephrine that raise blood pressure and heart rate are exaggerated by the beta-adrenergic blocking drugs which prevent dilation of the blood vessels and increase the heart rate. To avoid this effect, it is best not to use both drugs together. If, however, both drugs are administered together, it is important to monitor blood pressure levels. Also, high blood pressure and a slow heartbeat are less likely to occur if beta-adrenergic blocking drugs that are selective for the heart such as atenolol (Tenormin) and Sectral (Sectral) are used.
• Epinephrine- and norepinephrine-depleting drugs, such as reserpine (Harmonyl), may have an additive effect when given with beta-blocking drugs and cause an abnormally slow heart beat or low blood pressure, which may give rise to dizziness or fainting.

• There are no adequate studies of Sectral in pregnant women. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetus
• Sectral is excreted in human milk, and use among nursing mothers is discouraged.

What preparations of acebutolol are available?

Capsules: 200 and 400 mg.

How should I keep acebutolol stored?

Capsules should be stored at room temperature, 77 F (25 C), away from light and moisture.