Circadian variations of acebutolol and its main metabolite, diacetolol pharmacokinetics were studied after a single oral administration of acebutolol (10 mg/kg) to eight rabbits at 10 : 00 AM (in the morning) and 10 : 00 PM (at night). The plasma concentration profiles of acebutolol were significantly different (P<0.05) between 10 : 00 AM and 22 : 00 PM, suggesting circadian variations of pharmacokinetic behaviors. A significant circadian rhythm of pharmacokinetic parameters was noted in rabbits, showing higher total body clearance (CL/F), and lower the area under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) of acebutolol than that at night. The half-life ($t_{1/2}$) of acebutolol and diacetolol were also significantly shorter in the morning than at night (P<0.05). Metabolite-parent AUC ratio at night significantly decreased compared to in the morning, implying that night time could inhibit acebutolol metabolism than in the morning. From this study there was an administration-time difference of acebutolol pharmacokinetics in the rabbits. The optimized dosing regimen of acebutolol can be decided by considering circadian rhythm so that the effective therapies are established for patients.