Sectral

What is it?

An antiarrhythmic, anti- anginal preparation which is a cardioselective β-blocker available as capsules in 2 strengths, both containing acebutolol (as hydrochloride). White/buff contain 100mg and pink/ buff contain 200mg both marked with strength and SECTRAL. Also, SECTRAL TABLETS, white, film- coated, containing 400mg of acebutolol as hydrochloride, marked SECTRAL 400.Used for. heart arrhythmias, angina, high blood pressure.

Dosage

Adults, arrhythmias, maintenance dose of 400 to 1200mg in 2 or 3 divided doses each day. Angina, 400mg once each day taken with breakfast or 200mg twice each day with a maximum of 1.2g daily. High blood pressure, same starting dose as for angina, increasing if necessary after 2 weeks to 400mg twice each day.

Special Care

Pregnancy, breast-feeding, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, metabolic acidosis, poor cerebral blood supply, history of bronchospasm, those undergoing anaesthesia; patients with weak hearts should be treated with digitalis and diuretics. Drug should be stopped gradually.

Avoid Use

Children, patients with asthma, heart diseases including heart block, heart shock, slow heartbeat rate, heart failure.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Cardiac depressants, anaesthetics, reserpine, sedatives, class II calcium antagonists, antihypertensives, sympathomimetics, cimetidine, indomethacin, ergotamine, class I antiarrhythmic drugs, verapamil, clonidine withdrawal, hypoglycaemics, rifampicin, warfarin, ibuprofen.

Known Side Effects

Sleep disturbance, cold feet and hands, slow heartbeat, fatigue on exercise, wheeziness, heart failure, gastrointestinal disorders; dry eyes or skin rash (stop use gradually), hair loss, low blood pressure, thrombocytopenia (abnormal decline in blood platelets causing increased likelihood of bleeding).