What is Sectral? What are the uses for 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
What are the side effects of acebutolol?
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.

IMAGES
Heart Illustration Browse through our medical image collection to see illustrations of human anatomy and physiology See ImagesWhat is the dosage for acebutolol?
- 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.
Which drugs or supplements interact with acebutolol?
- 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.
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Is acebutolol safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- 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.
Summary
Sectral (acebutolol) is a prescription drug used to treat high blood pressure and heart arrhythmias. It also is used to treat chest pain due to angina. Side effects include
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
- Excessive tiredness.
Drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms. Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure. The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater. If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
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