Sectral (Acebutolol) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 16, 2012

Sectral

Beta Blockers »

What are beta blockers and how do they work?

Beta blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, are a class of drugs that works by blocking the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine from binding to receptors. There are three known types of beta receptors, known as beta₁ (β₁), beta₂ (β₂) and beta₃ (β₃).

β₁-adrenergic receptors are located commonly in the heart and kidneys.
β₂-adrenergic receptors are located mainly in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, uterus, vascular smooth muscle, and skeletal muscle.
β₃- adrenergic receptors are located in fat cells.

When the neurotransmitters are prevented from binding to the receptors, it in turn causes the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) to be blocked. This action allows the he...

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Sectral

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Sectral®
(acebutolol hydrochloride) Capsules

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Sectral (acebutolol HCl) is a selective, hydrophilic beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agent with mild intrinsic sympathomimetic activity for use in treating patients with hypertension and ventricular arrhythmias. It is marketed in capsule form for oral administration. Sectral (acebutolol) capsules are provided in two dosage strengths which contain 200 or 400 mg of acebutolol as the hydrochloride salt. The inactive ingredients present are D&C Red 22, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Yellow 6, gelatin, povidone, starch, stearic acid, and titanium dioxide. The 200 mg dosage strength also contains D&C Red 28 and the 400 mg dosage strength also contains FD&C Red 40. Acebutolol HCl has the following structural formula:

Sectral (acebutolol HCl) structural formula illustration

Acebutolol HCl is a white or slightly off-white powder freely soluble in water, and less soluble in alcohol. Chemically it is defined as the hydrochloride salt of (±)N-[3-Acetyl-4-[2- hydroxy-3-[(1-methylethyl)amino]propoxy]phenyl] butanamide.

What are the possible side effects of acebutolol (Sectral)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious 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...

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What are the precautions when taking acebutolol (Sectral)?

Before taking acebutolol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: very slow heartbeat (e.g., severe bradycardia, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), a certain serious heart problem (cardiogenic shock), uncontrolled severe heart failure.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood circulation problems (e.g.,...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 9/19/2007
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.