Acebutolol is a cardioselective, beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agent, which possesses mild intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) in its therapeutically effective dose range. Acebutolol is marketed under the trade names Sectral, Prent. Acebutolol is indicated for the management of hypertension in adults. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide-type diuretics. Acebutolol is also indicated in the management of ventricular premature beats; it reduces the total number of premature beats, as well as the number of paired and multiform ventricular ectopic beats, and R-on-T beats. Acebutolol is a selective β1-receptor antagonist. Activation of β1-receptors by epinephrine increases the heart rate and the blood pressure, and the heart consumes more oxygen. Acebutolol blocks these receptors, lowering the heart rate and blood pressure. This drug then has the reverse effect of epinephrine. In addition, beta blockers prevent the release of renin, which is a hormone produced by the kidneys which leads to constriction of blood vessels.

Diacetolol is the major metabolite of the β-adrenoceptor blocking agent, acebutolol. In vitro, the β-adrenoceptor blocking potency of diacetolol was less than that of acebutolol but its cardioselectivity (atrial relative to tracheal tissue) was greater. Diacetolol had weak intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, and no significant membrane-stabilizing activity. It did not restore sinus rhythm to anaesthetized dogs with ouabain-induced arrhythmias but was similar to acebutolol in preventing arrhythmia induced by adrenaline/methylchloroform in anaesthetized cats. Study of diacetolol pharmacokinetics and bioavailability suggests either a first-pass effect or incomplete absorption of diacetolol after oral administration. Diacetolol plasma half-life after oral administration is about 12 h and is not dose-dependent. Diacetolol possesses significant antihypertensive action against moderate essential hypertension in man. Its antihypertensive effect is associated with a reduction in the heart rate and a decrease in plasma renin activity.

Acebutolol is a cardioselective, beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agent, which possesses mild intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) in its therapeutically effective dose range. Acebutolol is marketed under the trade names Sectral, Prent. Acebutolol is indicated for the management of hypertension in adults. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide-type diuretics. Acebutolol is also indicated in the management of ventricular premature beats; it reduces the total number of premature beats, as well as the number of paired and multiform ventricular ectopic beats, and R-on-T beats. Acebutolol is a selective β1-receptor antagonist. Activation of β1-receptors by epinephrine increases the heart rate and the blood pressure, and the heart consumes more oxygen. Acebutolol blocks these receptors, lowering the heart rate and blood pressure. This drug then has the reverse effect of epinephrine. In addition, beta blockers prevent the release of renin, which is a hormone produced by the kidneys which leads to constriction of blood vessels.

Diacetolol is the major metabolite of the β-adrenoceptor blocking agent, acebutolol. In vitro, the β-adrenoceptor blocking potency of diacetolol was less than that of acebutolol but its cardioselectivity (atrial relative to tracheal tissue) was greater. Diacetolol had weak intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, and no significant membrane-stabilizing activity. It did not restore sinus rhythm to anaesthetized dogs with ouabain-induced arrhythmias but was similar to acebutolol in preventing arrhythmia induced by adrenaline/methylchloroform in anaesthetized cats. Study of diacetolol pharmacokinetics and bioavailability suggests either a first-pass effect or incomplete absorption of diacetolol after oral administration. Diacetolol plasma half-life after oral administration is about 12 h and is not dose-dependent. Diacetolol possesses significant antihypertensive action against moderate essential hypertension in man. Its antihypertensive effect is associated with a reduction in the heart rate and a decrease in plasma renin activity.