Acebutolol, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: betablocker

Generic and brand names: acebutolol, oral; Sectral

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is known as a beta blocker. This medicine is taken by mouth to:

• lower and control high blood pressure
• treat irregular or fast heartbeats
• treat other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

This medicine does not cure high blood pressure but will control it if taken regularly.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before you take this medicine, be sure to tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• breathing problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing. This medicine may make these problems worse.
• congestive heart failure or if you are taking digitalis or a diuretic.
• an allergic reaction to other medicines.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes, even if you feel better. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure about what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cover up the rapid heartbeat that may occur in people who have an overactive thyroid gland. It may also reduce or eliminate chest pain you may have when you exercise or are very active. Ask your health care provider about a safe exercise program.

Your health care provider may want you to check your pulse regularly. Report any unusual slowing of your heart rate.

Do not stop taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval. If your health care provider wants you to stop, you will need to reduce your dosage gradually.

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the health care provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Talk to your health care provider before you use any nasal decongestants or take cold medicines, including nonprescription products.

Diabetics: This medicine may cover up the symptoms of low blood sugar. It may be harder to tell if your blood sugar level is too low or too high. Talk with your health care provider about this. Be sure you understand how this medicine might affect you and what to do if you have a problem.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing, swelling of your face, throat, or tongue).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Chest pain, cold hands or feet, confusion, depression, slow pulse, back pain, night cough, swelling of hands or feet.

Other: Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• antacids that contain aluminum
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), butabarbital (Butisol), amobarbital (Amytal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and secobarbital (Seconal)
• benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), triazolam (Halcion), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), and temazepam (Restoril)
• birth control pills
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• calcium medicines
• calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem), and nicardipine (Cardene)
• cholestyramine (Questran)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• clonidine (Catapres)
• colestipol (Colestid)
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• disopyramide (Norpace)
• epinephrine (Adrenalin)
• ergot medicines such as methysergide (Sansert) and ergotamine (Ergomar)
• flecainide (Tambocor)
• gabapentin (Neurontin)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• hydralazine (Apresoline)
• loop diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), and torsemide (Demadex)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)
• oral diabetes medicines
• penicillins
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), promazine (Sparine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• prazosin (Minipress)
• propafenone (Rythmol)
• quinidine (Quinora, Quinidex, Quinalan, Quinaglute, Cardioquin)
• reserpine (Serpasil)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• salicylates such as aspirin
• SSRI antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
• sulfinpyrazone (Anturane)
• theophylline
• thyroid medications.

If you have trouble identifying any of these medicines, ask your health care provider or pharmacist for help.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your health care provider approves.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.