Drug Groups

approved

Description

A cardioselective beta-adrenergic antagonist with little effect on the bronchial receptors. The drug has stabilizing and quinidine-like effects on cardiac rhythm as well as weak inherent sympathomimetic action. [PubChem]

Indication

For the management of hypertension and ventricular premature beats in adults.

Pharmacology

Acebutolol is a cardioselective, beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agent, which possesses mild intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) in its therapeutically effective dose range. In general, beta-blockers reduce the work the heart has to do and allow it to beat more regularly. Acebutolol has less antagonistic effects on peripheral vascular ß2-receptors at rest and after epinephrine stimulation than nonselective beta-antagonists. Low doses of acebutolol produce less evidence of bronchoconstriction than nonselective agents like propranolol but more than atenolol.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include extreme bradycardia, advanced atrioventricular block, intraventricular conduction defects, hypotension, severe congestive heart failure, seizures, and in susceptible patients, bronchospasm, and hypoglycemia.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Subject to extensive first-pass hepatic biotransformation (primarily to diacetolol).

Absorption

Well absorbed from the Gl tract with an absolute bioavailability of approximately 40% for the parent compound. In

Half Life

The plasma elimination half-life is approximately 3 to 4 hours. The half-life of its metabolite, diacetolol, is 8 to 13 hours.

Protein Binding

26%

Elimination

Elimination via renal excretion is approximately 30% to 40% and by non-renal mechanisms 50% to 60%, which includes excretion into the bile and direct passage through the intestinal wall.

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