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Acebutolol
Acebutolol is a medication licensed to treat high blood pressure and certain irregular heart rhythms. It comes in capsule form and is available by prescription only. As a beta blocker, it works by blocking beta receptors in the body and suppressing certain irregular heartbeats that originate in the wrong part of the heart. This drug is taken by mouth, usually once or twice daily.
Acebutolol hydrochloride (Sectral®) is a prescription medication approved to treat the following conditions:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Certain irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
(Click What Is Acebutolol Used For? for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
As with any medicine, acebutolol may cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects (most people actually tolerate it quite well). If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Some of the most common side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headaches.
(Click Side Effects of Acebutolol to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD