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Betapace AF

Brand Names

; Betapace® ; Betapace AF™

Foreign Brand Names

; Sotacor® (Canada)

Therapeutic Categories

Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class II; Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class III; Beta Blocker, Beta1 Selective

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

• You will need to be hospitalized to start this medicine. Special heart monitoring is usually needed for at least 3 days. This gives healthcare providers time to see how your heart responds to the medicine. Your healthcare provider will also check your kidney function. The dose is decreased if your kidney function is reduced.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to sotalol or any other part of the medicine.
• If you have any of the following conditions: Asthma, slow heartbeat, weakened heart (congestive heart failure) whose symptoms are poorly controlled, decreased kidney function.
• If you are taking sparfloxacin.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine prevents fast heartbeats called arrhythmias. It helps your heartbeat in a more normal way.

How does it work?

• Sotalol blocks chemicals, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), and prevents them from increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen use. Sotalol slows the body down a bit.

How is it best taken?

• Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
• Can take Betapace AF™ with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Do not take antacids or calcium supplements less than 2 hours before or after sotalol.
• Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine. Medicine should be slowly decreased and only by healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider. This could be dangerous.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. Use caution with certain heart beat medicines (antiarrhythmics), mood-adjusting medicines, certain ones for depression (tricyclic antidepressants), astemizole, bepridil, erythromycin and like antibiotics, quinolone antibiotics.
• Wear disease medical alert identification for heart disease.
• It is dangerous to run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have a weakened heart. Can worsen symptoms. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have a slow heartbeat and do not have a pacemaker. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you are diabetic and have low blood sugars. Talk with healthcare provider. This medicine hides signs of low blood sugar except sweating.
• Use caution if you have lung disease. This includes asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or if you are using an inhaler like albuterol or ipratropium. This medicine can cause wheezing or spasm in the lung.
• Tell healthcare provider if you have kidney disease. Your dose may be decreased.
• Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider about this medicine before undergoing an operation or dental surgery.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy and/or lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without this side effect.
• Slow heart rate (pulse) and/or low blood pressure (lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, and feeling tired).

What should I monitor?

• Watch for swelling of legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain, exercise tolerance. If any of these worsen, talk with healthcare provider.
• Report a 3-5 pound weight gain if you have heart failure.
• Check blood pressure regularly.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Too tired or sleepy.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Go to nearest hospital emergency room if you cannot reach healthcare provider.
• Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased ability to walk.
• Severe diarrhea, unusual sweating, vomiting, poor appetite, or very thirsty.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature. Protect from moisture.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).