Acebutolol is a beta-blocker. 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 not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use acebutolol if you have a serious heart condition such as "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree), severe heart failure, or slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using acebutolol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

You should not stop using acebutolol suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Acebutolol is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 400 mg orally per day in 1 to 2 divided doses
Maintenance dose: 400 to 800 mg orally per day

Comments: Some patients may respond to as little as 200 mg orally per day; patients with inadequately controlled or more severe hypertension may respond to 600 mg orally twice a day or to the addition of a second antihypertensive; beta-1 selectivity diminishes with increasing dose.

Usual Adult Dose for Ventricular Arrhythmia:

Initial dose: 200 mg orally twice a day
Maintenance dose: 600 to 1200 mg orally per day

You should not use acebutolol if you are allergic to it, or if you have a serious heart condition such as:

• AV block (2nd or 3rd degree);

• severe heart failure; or

• slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint.

To make sure acebutolol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);

• peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome;

• a history of heart failure;

• a heart condition for which you take digoxin (digitalis) or a diuretic ("water pill");

• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder;

• diabetes (taking acebutolol may make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar);

• liver or kidney disease;

• a thyroid disorder; or

• a history of allergies.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of acebutolol.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. However, taking acebutolol during pregnancy may cause problems after the baby is born. This includes low birth weight, slow heartbeats, and low blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking acebutolol.

Acebutolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include very slow heartbeats, trouble breathing, severe dizziness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Drinking alcohol with acebutolol can cause side effects.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cough or cold medicine that contains a decongestant. Taking acebutolol together with a decongestant may raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels.

This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

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

Acebutolol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

• new or worsening chest pain;

• slow heartbeats;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or

• dangerously high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats.

Common side effects of acebutolol may include:

• headache, dizziness;

• feeling tired;

• nausea, upset stomach;

• diarrhea, constipation; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• reserpine;

• cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills;

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or

• other beta-blockers--atenolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with acebutolol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to acebutolol. Your doctor may ask you to check your pulse (heart rate). Ask your pharmacist or doctor to teach you how to take your pulse. If your pulse is faster or slower than it should be, call your doctor.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking acebutolol.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.