Sectral

Sectral is a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers influence the heart and blood circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Sectral is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart rhythm disorders.

Sectral might also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to ensure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon in advance that you are using Sectral. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

You should not stop using Sectral suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, continue using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Sectral is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

You should not use Sectral if you have a serious heart condition such as "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree), severe heart failure, or slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint.

You should not use Sectral if you are allergic to it, or if you have a serious heart condition such as:

• AV block (2nd or 3rd degree);
• severe heart failure; or
• slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint.

To make sure Sectral is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
• peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome;
• a history of heart failure;
• a heart condition for which you take digoxin (digitalis) or a diuretic ("water pill");
• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder;
• diabetes (taking Sectral may make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar);
• liver or kidney disease;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• a history of allergies.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of Sectral.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. However, taking Sectral during pregnancy may cause problems after the baby is born. This includes low birth weight, slow heartbeats, and low blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine.

Acebutolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Sectral may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
• new or worsening chest pain;
• slow heartbeats;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might faint; or
• dangerously high blood pressure—severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats.

Common side effects of Sectral may include:

• headache, dizziness;
• feeling tired;
• nausea, upset stomach;
• diarrhea, constipation; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include very slow heartbeats, trouble breathing, severe dizziness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

Drinking alcohol with Sectral can cause side effects.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cough or cold medicine that contains a decongestant. Taking Sectral together with a decongestant may raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels.

This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any that you start or stop using, especially:

• reserpine;
• cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills;
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
• other beta-blockers--atenolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with acebutolol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.