acebutolol
Brand names: Sectral
Acebutolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure and control irregular heartbeats. It belongs to a class of drugs called beta-blockers.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.58/unit
Generic Available
Yes (2 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Acebutolol is used to treat high blood pressure in adults.
Common side effects
No common side effects listed.
Key warnings
You should not take acebutolol if you have a very slow heart rate, second- or third-degree heart block, heart failure, or cardiogenic shock.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take acebutolol as your doctor tells you. The starting dose for high blood pressure is usually 400 mg daily. This can be taken as one dose or two divided doses. Your doctor may change your dose to find what works best for you, up to a maximum of 1200 mg per day. If you stop treatment, reduce the dosage slowly over about two weeks.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store acebutolol at room temperature (68° to 77°F) and protect it from light. Keep the container tightly closed.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 5,543 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 1,220 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
1,220
Death-Related Reports
44
Hospitalization Reports
921
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | COGNITIVE DISORDER | 620 |
| 2 | FALL | 615 |
| 3 | ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION | 573 |
| 4 | BALANCE DISORDER | 568 |
| 5 | CONSTIPATION | 565 |
| 6 | HYPOTENSION | 564 |
| 7 | SEDATION | 538 |
| 8 | MOBILITY DECREASED | 508 |
| 9 | DEPRESSED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS | 501 |
| 10 | PAIN | 491 |
| 11 | SEDATION COMPLICATION | 490 |
| 12 | BLOOD CALCIUM DECREASED | 485 |
| 13 | CREATININE RENAL CLEARANCE DECREASED | 485 |
| 14 | TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS | 473 |
| 15 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 156 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
You should not take acebutolol if you have a very slow heart rate, second- or third-degree heart block, heart failure, or cardiogenic shock.
Known Drug Interactions
7.3 Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Antagonists (e.g., acebutolol, metoprolol) Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists have been shown to reduce the production of melatonin via specific inhibition of beta-1 adrenergic receptors.
Mechanism: Acebutolol can lower the amount of natural melatonin your body makes. This may make tasimelteon less effective since it works on the same sleep system.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor your sleep patterns or adjust your medications if they are not working well.
Common Questions
Can I drink alcohol while taking acebutolol?
Will acebutolol cure my high blood pressure?
Can I stop taking acebutolol if I feel better?
Does acebutolol interact with other medications?
Can older patients take this medication?
What do I do if I think I have overdosed?
Can acebutolol cause weight gain?
Can acebutolol cause dizziness?
How long does it take for acebutolol to start working?
What are the inactive ingredients in acebutolol?
Does acebutolol interact with other medications?
What drug class is acebutolol?
Is acebutolol safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Beta-1 Selective Blocker with ISA
Other drugs grouped near acebutolol — same-class peers and common alternatives.
aliskiren
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amlodipine
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Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain.
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amlodipine/benazepril
Lotrel
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amlodipine/valsartan
Exforge
Exforge HCT is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure.
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What the FDA Data Shows for acebutolol
The FDA label for acebutolol (sold under brand names such as Sectral) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Beta-1 Selective Blocker with ISA class. Acebutolol is used to treat high blood pressure in adults. Labeling covers dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements derived from clinical trials.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 5,543 voluntary reports. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.58.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: October 23, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages