What is Acebutolol?

Acebutolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Acebutolol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart rhythm disorders.

Acebutolol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Acebutolol?

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use acebutolol, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment:

• asthma, bronchitis, emphysema
• diabetes
• low blood pressure
• a heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, slow heart rate, or congestive heart failure
• depression
• liver or kidney disease
• a thyroid disorder
• myasthenia gravis
• pheochromocytoma; or
• problems with circulation (such as Raynaud’s syndrome)

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Acebutolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Acebutolol Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Acebutolol?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• slow or uneven heartbeats
• feeling light-headed, fainting
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
• swelling of your ankles or feet
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• depression; or
• cold feeling in your hands and feet

Less serious side effects may include:

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• tired feeling; or
• anxiety, nervousness

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Acebutolol Interactions

What other drugs affect Acebutolol?

Before taking acebutolol, tell your doctor if you are using:

• allergy treatments (or if you are undergoing allergy skin-testing)
• clonidine (Catapres)
• guanabenz (Wytensin)
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam)
• a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage)
• a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem)
• medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders, such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), and theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair); or
• cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with acebutolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Acebutolol?

Acebutolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking acebutolol.

Acebutolol Dosage

How should I take Acebutolol?

Take acebutolol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Take acebutolol at the same time every day.

Do not skip doses or stop taking acebutolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using acebutolol. You may need to briefly stop using acebutolol before having surgery.

Acebutolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store acebutolol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Acebutolol?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What happens if I miss a dose of Acebutolol?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 4 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Sourced from everydayhealth.com