Acebutolol Pronunciation: a se BYOO toe lole Brand Name: Sectral -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Important Information Description Who should not take it? How should I take it? What happens if I miss a dose? What happens if I overdose? What should I avoid while taking it? What are the side effects? What other drugs will affect it? Where can I get more information? Brand Names -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is the most important information I should know about acebutolol? • Do not stop taking acebutolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse. • Call your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath. • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Acebutolol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is acebutolol? • Acebutolol is in a class of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulatory system (arteries and veins). • Acebutolol is used to lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, and reduce angina (chest pain). • Acebutolol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acebutolol? • Before taking acebutolol, tell your doctor if you have · asthma; · a heart problem such as low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, heart block, sick sinus syndrome, a pacemaker, heart failure, and others; · diabetes; · depression; · thyroid disease; · kidney disease; · liver disease; or · any type of circulatory disease. • You may not be able to take acebutolol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. • Acebutolol is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. • Acebutolol passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take acebutolol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How should I take acebutolol? • Take acebutolol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. • Take acebutolol with a full glass of water. • Take acebutolol at the same time every day whenever possible. • Do not stop taking acebutolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse. • Your doctor may want you to have blood tests, blood pressure checks, or other medical evaluations during treatment with acebutolol to monitor progress and side effects. • Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What happens if I miss a dose? • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What happens if I overdose? • Seek emergency medical attention. • Symptoms of an acebutolol overdose include a slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What should I avoid while taking acebutolol? • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Acebutolol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blood pressure changes. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. • Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking acebutolol before having surgery. • Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking this medication. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What are the possible side effects of acebutolol? • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking acebutolol and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; hives); · wheezing or shortness of breath; · an unusually slow or irregular heartbeat; · swelling of the feet and / or lower legs; · leg pain or cramping; · sudden weight gain (more than 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in one week); · chest (heart) pain; · blue or cold feet and hands; or · a rash. • If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking acebutolol and talk to your doctor: · fatigue or confusion; · headache or dizziness; · weak pulse or a mildly slow heart rate; · diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea, or vomiting; · depression; · nightmares; or · impotence (difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection). • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What other drugs will affect acebutolol? • Before taking acebutolol, tell your doctor if you are taking · a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), clonidine (Catapres), digoxin (Lanoxin), doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), or terazosin (Hytrin); · a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage); · a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), and others; · a respiratory medication such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, Volmax, others), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), or theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, others), and others; · the stomach medication cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); or · prescription or over-the-counter cough medicines, cold medicines, or diet pills. • You may not be able to take acebutolol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with acebutolol or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. Where can I get more information? • Your pharmacist has additional information about acebutolol written for health professionals that you may read. Brand Names: • Sectral From WebMD