Uses
- Acebutolol belongs to a class of medications called beta-blockers. Relaxes blood vessels and slows heart rate
- It treats high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Treating an irregular heartbeat helps the heart function better and with less effort. The irregular heartbeat can be severe and sometimes even cause a heart attack.
- This prescribed medication is sometimes also used to treat chest pain associated with coronary heart disease.
- The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acebutolol in 1984.
Mechanism of action
Acebutolol is a selective β1 receptor antagonist. Activating the β1 receptors by adrenaline increases the heart rate and blood pressure, and the heart consumes more oxygen. It blocks these receptors and reduces heart rate and blood pressure. This medicine has the reverse effect of adrenaline. Beta-blockers also prevent the release of renin, a hormone produced by the kidneys that cause the constriction of blood vessels.
Acebutolol Side effects
The most common side effects are:
- A heart rate slower than normal
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach (indigestion)
- Muscle pain or pain
While serious side effects include the following:
- Very low blood pressure.
- Very slow heartbeat.
- Weak circulation
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Pain when urinating
- Liver damage
- The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a condition in which your immune system attacks parts of your body.
Pregnancy and Acebutolol
Acebutolol should only be used during pregnancy if necessary. This medicine passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed a baby while taking this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should discuss the risks and benefits of taking this medication during pregnancy.
Dosage
Acebutolol can be taken with or without food, usually once or twice a day.
The dose should be reduced in patients with renal insufficiency since renal or hepatic disease reduces the elimination of acebutolol.
Initial Adult Dose for Hypertension is 400 mg orally per day in 1 to 2 divided doses while the maintenance dose is 400 to 800 mg orally per day
Initial Adult Dose for Ventricular Arrhythmia is 200 mg orally twice daily and the maintenance dose is 600 to 1200 mg orally daily.
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