7 Things You Should Know Before Starting a Beta Blocker
Beta blockers are a class of medications used to reduce blood pressure and manage irregular heart rhythms. Read on to learn types of beta blockers, their side effects, interactions, and more.
acebutolol
Used for Hypertension, Ventricular Arrhythmia
Used for Hypertension, Ventricular Arrhythmia
Acebutolol treats abnormal heartbeat problems called ventricular arrhythmias. Acebutolol can also be taken for high blood pressure, but it's not commonly used unless other blood pressure medications aren't working.
What is Acebutolol?
What is Acebutolol used for?
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Ventricular arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat)
How Acebutolol works
Acebutolol is a selective beta blocker that blocks certain receptors in the heart and blood vessels. This allows the heart to beat more slowly and blood vessels to relax, which can lead to a slower heartbeat and lower blood pressure.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Sectral |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Beta blocker |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Acebutolol
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Tiredness (11%)
- Dizziness (6%)
- Headache (6%)
- Constipation (4%)
- Diarrhea (4%)
- Stomach pain or discomfort (4%)
- Nausea (4%)
- Shortness of breath (4%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia) (3%)
- Passing gas (3%)
- Frequent urination (micturition) (3%)
Acebutolol serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Heart failure: shortness of breath, fast or irregular heartbeat, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
The following Acebutolol side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Changes in vision
difficult or labored breathing
shortness of breath
swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
tightness in chest
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
blurred vision
chest discomfort
chills
cold sweats
coma
confusion
convulsions
cool, pale skin
decreased urine output
dilated neck veins
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
extreme fatigue
headache
increased hunger
irregular breathing
loss of bladder control
muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
nervousness
nightmares
noisy breathing
pain in the shoulders, back, neck, or jaw
shakiness
slow, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
slurred speech
sudden loss of consciousness
sweating
troubled breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
bloated
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
difficulty in moving
discouragement
excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
feeling sad or empty
full feeling
indigestion
irritability
lack of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
muscle aching or cramping
muscle pain or stiffness
pain in joints
passing gas
problems in urination or increase in amount of urine
rash
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
swollen joints
tiredness
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
unable to sleep
unusual dreams
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$63.44
GoodRx discount
$36.06
Pros and cons of Acebutolol
Pros
- One of the first-choice treatments for arrhythmias
- Less side effects than some other beta blockers because it targets the heart and not other parts of the body
- Can be used together with other blood pressure medications
Cons
- Not a first-choice treatment option for high blood pressure
- Can't stop taking acebutolol suddenly
- Can hide symptoms of low blood sugar
- Not recommended while breastfeeding because acebutolol passes through breast milk
Pharmacist tips for Acebutolol
- Acebutolol can be taken with or without food. Food doesn't affect how the medication works, but food can make your body absorb the medication a little slower.
- Don't stop taking acebutolol suddenly without talking with your provider because it can raise your risk of chest pain and heart attack.
- If you have diabetes, make sure to check your blood sugar often because acebutolol can hide symptoms of low blood sugar (except for dizziness and sweating).
- If you take acebutolol for high blood pressure, avoid taking it together with over-the-counter medications for cough and cold, such as decongestants (phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine) because it can raise your blood pressure.
- Avoid taking acebutolol together with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because it might make acebutolol less effective (not work as well) for blood pressure.
Risks and warnings for Acebutolol
Acebutolol can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Heart failure
- Risk factors: Heart failure that's under control | Heart conditions relating to heart valves
Since acebutolol slows down the heart, it might make certain heart problems worse, especially heart failure that requires the heart to be stimulated to improve blood flow. People with heart valve problems might also have a higher risk of heart failure if they take acebutolol for a period of time. Let your provider know right away if you have any symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath, fast or irregular heartbeat, or swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet.
Chest pain, heart attack, and death
- Risk factors: Stopping acebutolol suddenly
Stopping acebutolol suddenly can cause the body to react and raise your heart rate and blood pressure. This will raise the risk of chest pain exacerbation (flare-up), and in some cases, it can lead to a heart attack or death. Don't stop taking acebutolol suddenly without talking to your provider. If necessary, they can change your medication or help take you off of the medication slowly over a few weeks.
Breathing problems (bronchospastic disease)
- Risk factors: Asthma or other lung problems
Beta blockers, including acebutolol, are generally not recommended for people with lung problems like asthma. Acebutolol can cause the airways to narrow (tighten) and make it harder to breathe, so this medication should only be used if you're being monitored by your provider.
Blood circulation problems
- Risk factors: Narrowed blood vessels
Beta blockers, including acebutolol, can lower the amount of blood that the heart pumps out to the rest of the body. If you have problems with blood circulation, such as narrowed blood vessels, this medication might make your condition worse. Let your provider know if you have painful cramps in your hips or legs, numbness or weakness in your legs, or coldness in your lower legs or feet.
Hiding symptoms of low blood sugar
- Risk factors: Diabetes
Acebutolol can make it harder for people with diabetes to feel symptoms of low blood sugar, such as fast heart rate or shakiness. Acebutolol might not affect other symptoms, such as dizziness or sweating. If you have diabetes, talk to your provider to see how often you should check your blood sugar while taking acebutolol.
Hiding symptoms of overactive thyroid
Acebutolol can hide certain symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), such as fast heart rate. Stopping acebutolol suddenly can cause a thyroid storm, which is a life-threatening condition when hyperthyroidism is not treated. Don't stop acebutolol suddenly without talking to your provider.
Acebutolol dosage
The average cost for 90 capsules of 200mg of Acebutolol is $36.06 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 43.16% off the average retail price of $63.44.
Interactions between Acebutolol and other drugs
Acebutolol may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Acebutolol. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Albuterol
- Ceritinib
- Clonidine
- Crizotinib
- Diltiazem
- Dronedarone
- Fenoldopam
- Fingolimod
- Formoterol
- Indacaterol
- Iohexol
- Lacosamide
- Levalbuterol
- Olodaterol
- Ponesimod
- Rivastigmine
- Salmeterol
- Siponimod
- Terbutaline
- Verapamil
- Vilanterol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acarbose
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Acetyldigoxin
- Albiglutide
- Alfuzosin
- Alogliptin
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Arbutamine
- Aspirin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Bunazosin
- Canagliflozin
- Celecoxib
- Chlorpropamide
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Dapagliflozin
- Deslanoside
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Digitoxin
- Digoxin
- Dipyrone
- Doxazosin
- Droxicam
- Dulaglutide
- Empagliflozin
- Ertugliflozin
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Exenatide
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Glimepiride
- Glipizide
- Glyburide
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Insulin Aspart, Recombinant
- Insulin Degludec
- Insulin Detemir
- Insulin Glargine, Recombinant
- Insulin Glulisine
- Insulin Human Inhaled
- Insulin Human Isophane (NPH)
- Insulin Human Regular
- Insulin Lispro, Recombinant
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Linagliptin
- Liraglutide
- Lixisenatide
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Metformin
- Metildigoxin
- Mibefradil
- Miglitol
- Morniflumate
- Moxisylyte
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nateglinide
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Phenoxybenzamine
- Phentolamine
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Pioglitazone
- Piroxicam
- Pramlintide
- Pranoprofen
- Prazosin
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Repaglinide
- Rofecoxib
- Rosiglitazone
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Saxagliptin
- Sitagliptin
- Sodium Salicylate
- St John's Wort
- Sulindac
- Tamsulosin
- Tenoxicam
- Terazosin
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolazamide
- Tolbutamide
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Trimazosin
- Urapidil
- Valdecoxib
- Vildagliptin
How much does Acebutolol cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Acebutolol (generic)
$36.06
Acebutolol contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Acebutolol will not be safe for you to take.
- Severe bradycardia (slow heart rate) that won't go away
- Second- and third-degree heart block (slow irregular heart beat)
- Overt cardiac failure (very obvious symptoms of heart problems)
- Cardiogenic shock (heart suddenly can't pump enough blood to the body)
What are alternatives to Acebutolol?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Acebutolol. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Acebutolol
Acebutolol images
