Sotalol hydrochloride (
Betapace®,
Sorine®) is a prescription medication approved to treat various irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Sotalol 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 sotalol AF comes with a special patient package insert with information for people with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with sotalol. However, unlike many other medications, sotalol can often cause life-threatening side effects. For this reason, this drug 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 Sotalol Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking sotalol 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.
How Does the Medication Work?
Sotalol belongs to two different classes of drugs; it is both a
beta blocker and a Class III antiarrhythmic medication.
As a beta blocker, sotalol 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, sotalol blocks potassium channels in the heart. This action helps to control an irregular heart rhythm.
When and How to Take Sotalol
Some general considerations for those taking this medicine include the following:
- Sotalol 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.
- Sotalol 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. Sotalol 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 sotalol 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.
An overdose with this medicine is likely to cause dangerously low
blood pressure (hypotension), a slow heart rate (bradycardia), and other serious problems. If you happen to overdose on sotalol, seek immediate medical attention.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Sotalol?
If you forget to take your sotalol 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 that you not to miss any doses with this particular medication.
Sotalol should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children and pets.
Is There a Generic Version?
Brand-name sotalol and sotalol AF are made by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Generic versions are made by various manufacturers.
Sotalol tablets come in the following strengths:
- Sotalol 80 mg
- Sotalol AF 80 mg
- Sotalol 120 mg
- Sotalol AF 120 mg
- Sotalol 160 mg
- Sotalol AF 160 mg.
Brand-name
Betapace 240 mg tablets are no longer being made, although generic versions are still available.
