USE OF ACEBUTOLOL IN PREGNANCY

Acebutolol is a cardioselective beta blocker licensed for the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, cardiac dysrhythmia, and for early intervention in the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

There are no studies of rates of congenital malformation, miscarriage, stillbirth, or adverse neurodevelopmental effects following gestational exposure to acebutolol. Very limited data do not suggest that exposure to acebutolol in utero adversely affects fetal growth or gestational length. However, further studies are required to confirm these findings, particularly as reduced fetal growth has been observed following gestational exposure to other beta blockers.

Use of beta blockers near term may result in beta-adrenoceptor blockade, leading to neonatal bradycardia, hypotension and hypoglycaemia. However, the absolute risk of these neonatal complications in acebutolol-exposed infants remains unquantified. Assessment of the neonate for these effects is therefore advised.

Exposure to acebutolol at any stage of pregnancy would not usually be regarded as medical grounds for termination. In pregnancies complicated by maternal hypertension and/or where acebutolol has been administered, careful monitoring of fetal growth is advised. Other risk factors may also be present in individual cases which may independently increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. Clinicians are reminded of the importance of considering such factors when performing case-specific risk assessments.