Acebutolol

Acebutolol is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. It is also used to treat certain kinds of irregular heartbeat. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Acebutolol is a beta-blocker. It works by causing the heart to beat more slowly and regularly.

Do NOT use Acebutolol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Acebutolol
• you have a very slow heart rate, active heart failure, heart block, shock caused by serious heart problems, a slow heart rate, or low blood pressure caused by a heart attack
• you are taking mibefradil or verapamil

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Acebutolol :

Some medical conditions may interact with Acebutolol . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have heart failure, other heart problems (eg, slow heart rate, valve disease, ventricular problems), low blood pressure, or blood vessel problems (eg, narrowing of the blood vessels)
• if you have breathing or lung problems (eg, bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), diabetes, overactive thyroid, liver or kidney problems, or if you are having a severe allergic reaction

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Acebutolol . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially the following:

• Indomethacin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), or phenylpropanolamine because they may decrease Acebutolol 's effectiveness
• Disopyramide, flecainide, ketanserin, mibefradil, or reserpine because side effects, such as severe low blood pressure or slow heart rate, may occur
• Mefloquinone or verapamil because the risk of serious heart problems may be increased
• Bupivacaine, disopyramide, flecainide, ketanserin, or quinazolines (eg, alfuzosin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Acebutolol
• Clonidine because severe high blood pressure may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Acebutolol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Acebutolol :

Use Acebutolol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Acebutolol by mouth with or without food.
• Taking Acebutolol at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Continue to take Acebutolol even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Acebutolol , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Acebutolol .

Important safety information:

• Acebutolol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Acebutolol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Acebutolol may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• Diabetes patients - Acebutolol may hide signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Do not stop taking Acebutolol without talking to your doctor first. If Acebutolol is suddenly stopped, it may cause angina (chest pain) or heart attack in some patients.
• Talk to your doctor before taking any nonprescription cold medicines (including nasal sprays) or diet pills.
• If your doctor has instructed you to check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly, be sure to do so.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Acebutolol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Acebutolol while you are pregnant. Acebutolol is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Acebutolol .

Possible side effects of Acebutolol :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, especially when lying down; fainting; lightheadedness, especially upon standing; seizures (convulsions); shortness of breath; swelling of ankles; very slow heart rate; weakness; wheezing.

Store Acebutolol at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Acebutolol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Acebutolol , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Acebutolol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Acebutolol . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.