Sectral Uses

Sectral is licensed to treat high blood pressure and certain irregular heart rhythms. Although this medication can lower blood pressure and reduce the number of irregular PVC (premature ventricular contractions) heartbeats, it is not a cure for either condition. Healthcare providers may also occasionally recommend off-label uses of Sectral, such as for the treatment of angina.

Sectral Medication Information

What Is Sectral Used For?

Sectral^® (acebutolol hydrochloride) is a prescription beta blocker medication approved for the treatment of the following medical conditions:

Certain irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
High blood pressure (hypertension).

Using Sectral for Arrhythmias

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. There are many different types of arrhythmias. Some arrhythmias are life-threatening, while others are harmless. Sectral is approved to treat a specific type of arrhythmia known as premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), also known as ventricular premature beats or ventricular ectopic beats.

Normally, a heartbeat originates in a certain part of the heart known as the sinoatrial node. However, with a PVC, a heart beat starts in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is usually sensed as a skipped heartbeat.

In most cases, PVCs are not dangerous and require no treatment. However, if the PVCs are frequent, cause intolerable symptoms, or occur in such a way as to suggest that they might lead to a more serious heart problem, treatment may be recommended.

Sectral can reduce the number of irregular PVC heartbeats.

Using Sectral for High Blood Pressure

In clinical studies, Sectral has been shown to significantly reduce

blood pressure. By lowering blood pressure, blood pressure medications are thought to decrease the risks that occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). Sectral does not, however, cure high blood pressure. It can be used alone or in combination with other blood pressure medications (it is particularly useful in combination with diuretics).

(Sectral Uses Continued: Page 2)