Beta-blockers
Acebutolol
A beta-blocker that slows the heart and eases its workload to help lower blood pressure.
What is Acebutolol?
Acebutolol is a beta-blocker used to help lower high blood pressure and to treat some heart rhythm and angina problems. It works by slowing the heart and reducing the force of each beat. It should not be stopped suddenly, and it can mask the warning signs of a low blood sugar.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Acebutolol — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Acebutolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker, meaning it acts mainly on the heart. In the UK it is used for high blood pressure, certain abnormal heart rhythms and angina. Beta-blockers are no longer first choice for blood pressure in most people, but they remain useful when there is another heart reason to use them.
How it works
Acebutolol blocks beta receptors that adrenaline and similar stress hormones act on, mainly in the heart. This slows the heart rate and reduces the force of each beat, so the heart works less hard and blood pressure tends to fall. The calmer, slower heartbeat also helps with palpitations and angina.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Originally developed by Rhône-Poulenc; available as a generic medicine..
Introduced in the 1970s as a cardioselective beta-blocker and used in the UK for high blood pressure and heart rhythm problems.
What it treats
Conditions Acebutolol is used for
Practical use
How to take Acebutolol
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it regularly at the same times each day to keep your heart rate and blood pressure steady.
- Swallow the tablet with a drink of water.
- Do not stop suddenly; any change is tapered down under guidance.
- If you have diabetes, watch for low blood sugar, as warning signs may be less obvious.
- If a dose is missed, take it when you remember unless the next one is near, then skip it; never double up.
- Tell your prescriber if you become very tired, short of breath or notice a very slow pulse.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Acebutolol
Advantages
- Slows the heart and lowers blood pressure, and is useful when there is also angina or palpitations.
- Acts mainly on the heart (cardioselective), which can suit some people better than older beta-blockers.
- Long-established and available as a low-cost generic medicine.
Disadvantages
- Can cause tiredness, cold hands and feet, and vivid dreams.
- Must not be stopped abruptly, which means planning ahead before any change.
- Generally avoided in asthma and can mask low-blood-sugar warning signs in diabetes.
Practical use
Good to know
Acebutolol must not be stopped suddenly, as this can cause a rebound rise in heart rate, blood pressure or chest pain; any change is made gradually. It can mask the warning signs of a low blood sugar (such as a fast heartbeat), which matters if you have diabetes. People with asthma are generally advised to avoid beta-blockers, as they can tighten the airways.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with asthma or other wheezy lung conditions, as beta-blockers can tighten the airways.
- People with a very slow heart rate, certain heart-block problems or uncontrolled heart failure.
- People with severe circulation problems in the limbs, who may need an alternative.
Monitoring
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Symptoms of breathlessness or a very slow heartbeat
Side effects
- Tiredness, cold hands and feet, and sometimes dizziness.
- Vivid dreams or disturbed sleep.
- A slow heart rate, or wheeze in people prone to it; report severe breathlessness or a very slow pulse.
Key interactions
- Other heart-rate-slowing medicines, such as certain calcium-channel blockers and digoxin, can slow the heart too much together.
- Diabetes medicines — acebutolol can mask the warning signs of low blood sugar.
- Other blood-pressure medicines can add to its effect and cause low pressure.
Available as: Tablets and capsules.
Answers
Acebutolol: frequently asked questions
Can I stop acebutolol if I feel fine?
No. Stopping a beta-blocker suddenly can cause a rebound rise in heart rate, blood pressure or chest pain. Any change is made gradually with your prescriber's advice.
Is acebutolol safe if I have asthma?
Beta-blockers are generally avoided in asthma because they can tighten the airways. Tell your prescriber if you have asthma or wheezing so a safer option can be considered.
Will acebutolol affect my diabetes?
It can mask some warning signs of a low blood sugar, such as a fast heartbeat. If you have diabetes, monitor your levels and be alert to other symptoms such as sweating.
Why do I feel tired on acebutolol?
Tiredness and cold hands and feet are common with beta-blockers, especially early on. They often ease with time, but tell your prescriber if they are troublesome.
Is acebutolol the best first choice for blood pressure?
For most people, beta-blockers are no longer the first choice for blood pressure alone, but they are useful when there is also angina, palpitations or another heart reason to use them.
The wider class
About Beta-blockers
Acebutolol belongs to the beta-blockers class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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