Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Sectral
- Antidysrhythmics, II;
- Beta-Blockers, Intrinsic Sympathomimetic
Description
Cardioselective for beta-1 at low doses; has intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, ie, can lower BP with less decrease in HR
Class 2 antiarrhythmic
Indications
Indicated for the treatment of Hypertension, Ventricular, Arrhythmias, Angina
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Persistently severe bradycardia; 2°/3° heart block except patients with functioning artificial pacemaker, overt cardiac failure, cardiogenic shock
Adverse Effects
- Fatigue (11%)
- Dizziness (6%)
- Headache (6%)
- Constipation (4%)
- Diarrhea (4%)
- Dyspnea (4%)
- Dyspepsia (4%)
- Nausea (4%)
- Flatulence (3%)
- Insomnia (3%)
- Abdominal pain (2%)
- Bradycardia (2%)
- Chest pain (2%)
- Dysuria (2%)
- Edema (2%)
- Heart failure (2%)
- Hypotension (2%)
- Impotence (2%)
- Myalgia (2%)
- Pharyngitis (2%)
- Pruritus (2%)
- Rhinitis (2%)
- Vomiting (2%)
- Wheezing (2%)
Warnings
Use with caution in patients with myasthenia gravis
Exacerbation or induction of psoriasis reported with therapy; cause and effect not established
Use caution and monitor for progression of arterial obstruction in patients with peripheral vascular disease and Raynaud disease; therapy may precipitate or aggravate symptoms of arterial insufficiency
Prior to use a β-blocker, adequate alph1-receptor blockade required in patients with pheochromocytoma
While taking β-blockers, patients with a history of severe anaphylactic reaction to a variety of allergens may be more reactive to repeated challenge, either accidental, diagnostic, or therapeutic; such patients may be unresponsive to usual doses of epinephrine used to treat allergic reaction
Sympathetic stimulation may be essential for support of circulation in individuals with diminished myocardial contractility; inhibition by β-adrenergic receptor blockade may precipitate more severe failure; although β-blockers should be avoided in overt cardiac failure, acebutolol can be used with caution in patients with a history of heart failure who are controlled with digitalis and/or diuretics; both digitalis and acebutolol impair AV conduction; if cardiac failure persists, therapy should be withdrawn
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy Category: B; D in 2nd and 3rd trimesters (expert analysis). Neonates of mothers who have received acebutolol during pregnancy have reduced birth weight, decreased blood pressure, and decreased heart rate.
Lactation: excreted into milk/not recommended
Maximum Dosage
Hypertension
400-1200 mg/day divided PO q12hr; not to exceed 1200 mg/day
Ventricular Arrhythmias
400-1200 mg/day divided PO q12hr; not to exceed 1200 mg/day
Angina
400-1200 mg/day divided PO q12hr; not to exceed 1200 mg/day
Pediatric
Safety & efficacy not established
How supplied
Acebutolol
capsule
- 200mg
- 400mg