acebutolol vs labetalol
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of acebutolol and labetalol. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Sectral
Trandate
Acebutolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure and control irregular heartbeats. It belongs to a class of drugs called beta-blockers.
Labetalol is a medicine that lowers high blood pressure. It can be used alone or with other blood pressure medicines.
Acebutolol is used to treat high blood pressure in adults. It can be used alone or with other blood pressure medicines. Acebutolol is also used to manage irregular heartbeats called ventricular arrhythmias. It helps to reduce the number of these irregular beats.
Labetalol is used to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage your heart, brain, and kidneys if it is not treated. This medicine can help lower your blood pressure and reduce the risk of these problems.
Acebutolol works by blocking the effects of certain natural chemicals in your body, like adrenaline, on the heart and blood vessels. This helps to slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure. It also helps to make the heart beat more regularly.
Labetalol blocks certain receptors in your body. This helps to relax your blood vessels and slow down your heart rate. As a result, your blood pressure goes down.
No common side effects listed.
- • Dizziness
- • Fatigue
- • Nausea
- • Nasal stuffiness
- Cognitive Disorder 620
- Fall 615
- Orthostatic Hypotension 573
- Balance Disorder 568
- Constipation 565
- Foetal Exposure During Pregnancy 931
- Maternal Exposure During Pregnancy 912
- Hypertension 721
- Premature Baby 716
- Chronic Kidney Disease 645
You should not take acebutolol if you have a very slow heart rate, second- or third-degree heart block, heart failure, or cardiogenic shock.
You should not take labetalol if you have asthma, heart failure, a slow heart rate, or certain other heart problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if acebutolol will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking acebutolol while breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if labetalol will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking labetalol during pregnancy.
How to Read This acebutolol vs labetalol Comparison
acebutolol is classified in the Beta-1 Selective Blocker with ISA drug class, while labetalol sits within the Alpha/Beta-Blocker class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, acebutolol has 2,941 submissions while labetalol has 3,925. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for acebutolol or labetalol.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.