Acebutolol

Acebutolol (Sectral, Prent) is a beta blocker.

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Pharmacology

Acebutolol is a cardioselective beta blocker with ISA (Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity, see article on Pindolol). It is therefore more suitable than non cardioselective beta blockers, if a patient with Asthma bronchiale or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) needs treatment with a beta blocker. In doses lower than 800mg daily its constricting effects on the bronchial system and smooth muscle vessels are only 10% to 30% of those observed under Propranolol treatment, but there is experimental evidence that the cardioselective properties diminish at doses of 800mg/day or more.

The drug has lipophilic properties, and therefore crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier. Acebutolol has no negative impact on serum lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides). No HDL decrease has been observed. In this regard, it is unlike many other beta blockers which have this unfavourable property.

The drug works in hypertensive patients with high, normal, or low renin plasma concentrations, although acebutolol may be more efficient in patients with high or normal renin plasma concentrations. In clinically relevant concentrations, a membrane-stabilizing effect does not appear to play an important role.

Pharmacokinetics

Acebutolol is well absorbed from the GI tract, but undergoes substantial first-pass-metabolization, leading to a bioavailability of only 35% to 50%. Peak plasma levels of acebutolol are reached within 2 to 2.5 hours after oral dosing. Peak levels of the main active metabolite, diacetolol, are reached after 4 hours. Acebutolol has a halflife of 3 to 4 hours, and diacetolol a halflife of 8 to 13 hours.

Acebutolol undergoes extensive hepatic metabolization resulting in the desbutyl amine acetolol which is readily converted into diacetolol. Diacetolol is as active as acebutolol (equipotency) and appears to have the same pharmacologic profile. Geriatric patients tend to have higher peak plasma levels of both acebutolol and diacetolol and a slightly prolonged excretion. Excretion is substantially prolonged in patients with renal impairment, and so a dose reduction may be needed. Liver cirrhosis does not seem to alter the pharmacokinetic profile of the parent drug and metabolite.

Indications

• hypertension
• angina pectoris, including unstable angina
• ventricular and atrial cardiac arrhythmia
• acute myocardial infarction in high-risk patients

Contraindications and Precautions

Further information: Propranolol

Acebutolol may not be suitable in patients with Asthma bronchiale or COPD due to its bronchoconstricting (β2 antagonistic) effects.

Side effects

Further information: Propranolol

The development of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) has been found in 10 to 30% of patients under treatment with acebutolol. A systemic disease with arthralgic pain and myalgias has been observed in 1%. A lupus erythematosus-like syndrome with skin rash and multiforme organ involvement is even less frequent. The incidence of both ANA and symptomatic disease under acebutolol is higher than under Propranolol. Female patients are more likely to develop these symptoms than male patients. Some few cases of hepatotoxicity with increased liver enzymes (ALT, AST) have been seen. Altogether, 5 to 6% of all patients treated have to discontinue acebutolol due to intolerable side effects. When possible, the treatment should be discontinued gradually in order to avoid a withdrawal syndrome with increased frequency of angina and even precipitation of myocardial infarction.

Dosage

The daily dose is 200mg - 1,200mg in a single dose or in 2 divided doses as dictated by the severity of the condition to be treated. Treatment should be initiated with low doses, and the dose should be increased cautiously according to the response of the patient. Acebutolol is particularly suitable for antihypertensive combination treatment with diuretics, if acebutolol alone proves insufficient. In some countries injectable forms for i.v.-injection with 25mg acebutolol exist, but these are only for cases of emergency under strict clinical monitoring. The initial dose is 12.5 to 25mg, but additional doses may be increased to 75 to 100mg, if needed. If further treatment is required, it should be oral.