Betapace
® (
sotalol hydrochloride) is a prescription medication approved to treat various irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Betapace AF
® is approved to treat
atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, while the regular formula is approved to treat other arrhythmias. There are no important differences between the two, except Betapace AF comes with a special patient package insert with information for people with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.
Who Makes This Medication?
Brand-name Betapace and Betapace AF are made by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Generic versions are made by various manufacturers.
Betapace belongs to two different classes of drugs; it is both a
beta blocker and a Class III antiarrhythmic medication.
As a beta blocker, Betapace slows down the heart rate and increases the amount of time that a certain area of the heart (the AV node) is not responsive to an electrical signal. This means that if an electrical signal comes too soon, which could happen with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, the signal will not pass on to the rest of the heart.
As a Class III antiarrhythmic medication, Betapace blocks potassium channels in the heart. This action helps to control an irregular heart rhythm.
When and How to Take Betapace
Some general considerations for those taking this medicine include the following:
- Betapace comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth one to three times a day.
- If necessary, your pharmacist can make a syrup using the tablets. This is especially useful for young children who cannot swallow tablets.
- You can take this medicine either with a meal or on an empty stomach.
- Betapace should always be started within a hospital or a similar facility, where the heart can be continuously monitored until you have reached a steady dose for at least three days.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Betapace will not work if you stop taking it.
- In general, this medication should not be stopped suddenly, as serious problems (including heart attacks) may result.
The dose of Betapace your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The type of arrhythmia you have
- Your kidney function
- Your age
- Your height and weight (for children)
- How you respond to the drug
- Other medications you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Betapace. However, unlike many other medications, Betapace can often cause life-threatening problems. For this reason, it should only be used if the potential benefits clearly outweigh the possibly dangerous side effects.
Some of the most common side effects include but are not limited to:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- A slow heart rate
- A life-threatening irregular heart rhythm.
(Click Betapace Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Potential Drug Interactions
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Betapace if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Overdose on This Medicine?
An overdose with this drug is likely to cause dangerously low
blood pressure (hypotension), a slow heart rate (bradycardia), and other serious problems. If you happen to overdose on Betapace, seek medical attention right away.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take your Betapace dose, take the missed one as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, simply skip the one you missed and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose. It is very important to not miss any doses with this particular medication.
Betapace should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Keep this and all other medications out of reach of children and pets.
Betapace tablets come in the following strengths:
- Betapace 80 mg
- Betapace AF 80 mg
- Betapace 120 mg
- Betapace AF 120 mg
- Betapace 160 mg
- Betapace AF 160 mg.
Brand-name Betapace 240 mg tablets are no longer being made, although generic versions are still available.
Is There a Generic Version of Betapace?
This medication is available in generic form
(see Generic Betapace for more information).
