Betapace

Betapace treats certain types of irregular heartbeats. Do not suddenly stop taking your medication as this may cause you harm. Your doctor will slowly taper you off this medication.

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Betapace Overview

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Betapace is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats (known medically as arrhythmias).

This medication belongs to a group of drugs called antiarrhythmics which work by blocking potassium channels in the heart, slowing down electrical signals to stabilize heart rhythm. Betapace also belongs to the beta blocker class of drugs which slow the heart rate.

This medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken twice daily. 

Common side effects include tiredness, slow heart rate, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

How was your experience with Betapace?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Betapace?

What are you taking Betapace for?

Choose one
  • Other
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Atrial Flutter
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular
  • Ventricular Fibrillation

How long have you been taking it?

Choose one
  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Betapace work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Betapace to a friend?

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Uses of Betapace

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Betapace is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats (known medically as arrhythmias).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

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Generic

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Sotalol

For more information on this medication choose from the list of selections below.

Betapace Drug Class

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Betapace is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Betapace

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Common side effects include:

  • tiredness
  • slow heart rate
  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness
  • chest pain
  • a pounding or racing heart beat
  • weakness
  • slowed heart rate

This is not a complete list of Betapace side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Betapace FDA Warning

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Sotalol oral:

To minimize the risk of induced arrhythmia, patients initiated or reinitiated on sotalol should be placed for a minimum of three days (on their maintenance dose) in a facility that can provide cardiac resuscitation and continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. Creatinine clearance should be calculated prior to dosing. For detailed instructions regarding dose selection and special cautions for people with renal impairment. 

Sotalol is also indicated for the maintenance of normal sinus rhythm [delay in time to recurrence of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AFIB/AFL)] in patients with symptomatic AFIB/AFL who are currently in sinus rhythm and is marketed under the brand name Betapace AF. Betapace is not approved for the AFIB/AFL indication and should not be substituted for Betapace AF because only Betapace AF is distributed with a patient package insert that is appropriate for patients with AFIB/AFL.

Sotalol Injection:

To minimize the risk of induced arrhythmia, patients initiated or re-initiated on intravenous sotalol, and patients who are converted from intravenous to oral administration should be hospitalized in a facility that can provide cardiac resuscitation, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring and calculations of creatinine clearance.

  • Sotalol can cause life threatening ventricular tachycardia associated with QT interval prolongation
  • Do not initiate sotalol therapy if the baseline QTc is longer than 450 ms. If the QT interval prolongs to 500 ms or greater, the dose must be reduced, the duration of the infusion prolonged or the drug discontinued
  • Adjust the dosing interval based on creatinine clearance