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Sectral, |acebutolol

acebutolol

Generic Name: acebutolol (a se BYOO tow lol)
Brand Names: Sectral

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 purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about acebutolol?

If you need to have any type of surgery, you may need to temporarily stop using acebutolol. Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of time that you are using acebutolol.

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.

Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

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

Before taking acebutolol, tell your doctor if you have:

• 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).

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.

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.

Take acebutolol at the same time every day.

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.

Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acebutolol overdose may include uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking acebutolol?

Acebutolol 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.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• tired feeling; or

• anxiety, nervousness.

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.

What other drugs will 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), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), and theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair); or

• cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take acebutolol, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect 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.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about acebutolol written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Acebutolol is available with a prescription under the brand name Sectral. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Sectral 200 mg--purple/orange capsules

• Sectral 400 mg--brown/orange capsules

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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