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

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May 26, 2012

Sectral

High Blood Pressure »

High blood pressure facts

High blood pressure (hypertension) is designated as either essential (primary) hypertension or secondary hypertension and is defined as a consistently elevated blood pressure exceeding 140/90 mm Hg.
High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because it often causes no symptoms for many years, even decades, until it finally damages certain critical organs.
Poorly controlled high blood pressure ultimately can cause damage to blood vessels in the eye, thickening of the heart muscle and heart attacks, hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), kidney failure, and strokes.
Most antihypertensive medications can be used alone or in combination. Some are used only in combination. Some are preferred over others in certain specific medical situations. And some are not to be used (contraindicated) in other situations.
Several classes of antihypertensive medications are available, including ACE i...

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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.