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Sotalol Coupon - Sotalol 80mg tablet

sotalol

Generic Betapace
Used for Ventricular Arrhythmia

Sotalol (Betapace) is used to treat and prevent certain types of heart rate and heart rhythm problems (like atrial fibrillation or Afib). It's taken by mouth, typically twice a day. Usually, you need to start this medication in the hospital and stay there for at least 3 days so that the healthcare team can monitor your heart rhythm and check for any serious side effects. Sotalol (Betapace) can interact with several medications, including certain blood pressure medications and antacids. Sotalol is available both generic and brand name medications.

Reviewed by:
reviewerRobert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewerConnie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 20, 2023
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What is Sotalol (Betapace)?

What is Sotalol (Betapace) used for?

How Sotalol (Betapace) works

Sotalol (Betapace) is a non-selective beta blocker and potassium channel blocker. It works by blocking certain potassium channels and beta receptors in your heart to slow down electrical activity; it also slows down your heart rate. These actions help in treating abnormal heart rhythms.

Drug facts

Common BrandsBetapace, Betapace AF, Sorine, Sotylize
Drug ClassAntiarrhythmic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Sotalol (Betapace)

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Tiredness (up to 20%)
  • Dizziness (up to 16%)
  • Low heart rate (up to 13%)
  • Headache (up to 12%)
  • Trouble breathing (up to 10%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • General weakness

Sotalol (Betapace) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Abnormal heart rhythm: chest pounding, irregular heart beat, chest pain, trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Dangerously low heart rate or blood pressure: dizzy or lightheaded, faint, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, pale skin
  • Heart failure: unexplained weight gain, fluid buildup in legs or feet, trouble catching your breath
  • Bronchospasm: trouble breathing, tightness in the chest, wheezing, cough, tiredness, dizziness
  • Severe allergic reaction: swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or face, trouble breathing, rash

Source: DailyMed

The following Sotalol (Betapace) side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Blurred vision

chest pain or discomfort

confusion

difficult or labored breathing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

nausea and vomiting

sweating

swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

tightness in the chest

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Abdominal or stomach pain or swelling

body aches or pain

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

cough or hoarseness

decreased alertness

difficulty with speaking

dilated neck veins

double vision

extreme fatigue

feeling of warmth or heat

fever or chills

flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck

headache

inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles

inability to speak

irregular breathing

joint pain or swelling

loss of voice

lower back or side pain

nervousness

noisy breathing

painful, burning, or difficult urination

pounding in the ears

slow speech

weight gain

Rare

Fast breathing

pinpoint red spots on the skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Anxiety

cold sweats

cool, pale skin

depression

increased hunger

nightmares

seizures

shakiness

slurred speech

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Acid or sour stomach

difficulty with sleeping

heartburn or indigestion

pain in the arms or legs

Less common

Changes in vision

decreased sexual performance or desire

loss of appetite

mood changes

night blindness

passing gas

skin rash

weight changes

Rare

Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

hair loss or thinning of the hair

itching skin

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pains or stiffness

quick to react or overreact emotionally

sensation of spinning

severe sunburn

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

See more Sotalol (Betapace) side effects
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Pros and cons of Sotalol (Betapace)

Pros

  • Works well to treat life-threatening arrhythmias
  • Available in a lower-cost, generic version
  • Available as an oral liquid for people having trouble swallowing tablets

Cons

  • Must in a hospital for 3 days when first starting
  • Can cause serious arrhythmias, so it requires close monitoring
  • Can't use in people with certain medical conditions (e.g., heart failure, severe kidney problems, breathing problems)
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Pharmacist tips for Sotalol (Betapace)

pharmacist
  • Make sure to mark your calendar with your appointments to see your provider and to get any blood work done when you take sotalol (Betapace). Your provider might order tests (e.g., potassium level, kidney function, heart function, blood pressure, heart rate) during treatment and might change your dose of sotalol (Betapace) based on your lab results.
  • There are several medications that interact with sotalol (Betapace). Make sure to tell your provider about all of the medications you're taking before and during treatment with sotalol (Betapace).
  • You might feel dizzy when you start taking sotalol (Betapace) and when the dose is raised. This should get better over time as you continue taking the medication and your body gets used to your new blood pressure.
  • If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, feeling like you're going to faint, tired, or confused while taking sotalol (Betapace), your blood pressure might be too low. Your provider might recommend you measure and record your blood pressure at home and bring a record to your medical appointments. Make sure to hold onto something when standing and slowly sit or lie down if you can. Call your provider if this happens because your dose might need to be changed.
  • If you have diabetes and are taking insulin or other diabetes medication, ask your provider if you need to check your blood sugar more often while taking sotalol (Betapace) so that it doesn't go too low (hypoglycemia).
  • When you're starting or re-starting on sotalol (Betapace), you will need to stay in a hospital for at least 3 days for close monitoring and to determine the right dose for you. After you go home, make sure to take the exact same dose that you were prescribed at the end of your stay.
  • Take sotalol (Betapace) exactly as prescribed. Don't change your dose or suddenly stop taking the medication without talking to your provider first. Doing so can cause chest pain, thyroid problems, or your blood pressure or heart rate to rise quickly. If you want to stop sotalol (Betapace), ask your provider if it's safe to do so. You might need to lower your dose slowly over time before you can completely stop taking it.
  • If you accidentally miss a dose of sotalol (Betapace), take it as soon as you remember. But if it's close to your next dose, then skip that dose and take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Don't take 2 doses of sotalol (Betapace) at the same time to make up any missed doses, because this could lead to dangerous side effects.
  • Let your provider know if you're scheduled to undergo major surgery. They'll need to give you instruction on whether or not you should change your sotalol (Betapace) dose or stop taking it.

More tips for the sotalol (Betapace) 5 mg/mL liquid:

  • Make sure to only use a medication dose cup or oral syringe from the pharmacy to measure out your dose. Don't use household spoons because they aren't accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.
  • Store the sotalol (Betapace) suspension at room temperature and keep it in the original bottle it came in from the pharmacy.
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Risks and warnings for Sotalol (Betapace)

Sotalol (Betapace) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm

  • Risk factors: Kidney problems | Female sex | Slow heart rate | History of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation | Heart failure | Low blood potassium or magnesium levels | Taking other medications that cause QT prolongation | Taking high doses of sotalol (Betapace)

Sotalol (Betapace) can affect your heart rhythm, which can lead to serious and life-threatening problems like QT prolongation. To lower your risk, your provider might periodically check your heart and perform electrocardiograms (EKGs) to make sure your heart rhythm is normal. If you feel your chest pounding, have trouble breathing, have chest pain, or feel faint or lightheaded while taking sotalol (Betapace), get medical attention right away.

Low blood pressure and heart rate

  • Risk factors: Not enough fluid in your body (dehydration) | Having diarrhea or vomiting for a long time

Sotalol (Betapace) can lower your heart rate or blood pressure by too much. This is more likely to happen when you first start sotalol (Betapace) or when the dose is raised. Make sure to stay well-hydrated. Your provider might ask you to check your heart rate and blood pressure regularly when you're at home. If your blood pressure or heart rate drops too much and you feel dizzy, make sure to sit down slowly while holding onto something and let your provider know. If you fall and hit your head, get medical help right away. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, faint, tired, or confused while taking sotalol (Betapace), contact your provider right away.

Heart failure

Sotalol (Betapace) cause heart failure or make existing heart failure worse. Contact your provider right away if you notice symptoms of heart failure such as unexplained weight gain, edema (swelling due to more fluid) in legs or feet, or more shortness of breath especially when you lie down.

Difficulty breathing (bronchospasm)

  • Risk factors: History of asthma | History of COPD

Sotalol (Betapace) can make breathing harder because it causes your airways to tighten. This can also cause wheezing, cough, and chest discomfort. To lower your risk for lung problems, your provider will check your medical history and might give you a test that checks how healthy your lungs are before and during treatment with sotalol (Betapace). If you experience trouble breathing, wheezing, or coughing after using sotalol (Betapace), get medical attention right away.

Masked symptoms of low blood sugar

  • Risk factors: Diabetes | Taking insulin or other oral diabetes medications

Sotalol (Betapace) can mask many symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), except for sweating and dizziness. Sotalol (Betapace) can also cause higher blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, talk to your provider if you need to monitor your blood sugar or change the dosages of your diabetes medications while taking sotalol (Betapace).

Heart issues with sudden discontinuation

Don't suddenly stop taking sotalol (Betapace). Doing so puts you at risk for chest pain and heart attacks, especially if you have other medical conditions like thyroid problems or heart disease. If you're wanting to stop sotalol (Betapace), contact your provider to come up with a plan on how to stop the medication safely. You'll need to lower the dose slower over a long period of time (e.g., 1 to 2 weeks).

Severe allergic reactions

Some people have experienced a severe allergic reaction to sotalol (Betapace). These reactions can be life-threatening and include facial swelling, hives, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). If you notice dizziness; fast heartbeat; a choking sensation; difficulty breathing; swelling around your eyes, lips, or tongue; or any signs of a severe skin reaction after taking sotalol (Betapace); get medical attention right away.

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Sotalol (Betapace) dosage

The average cost for 60 tablets of 80mg of Sotalol (Betapace) is $16.12 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 84.85% off the average retail price of $106.38.
tabletTablet
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
80mg60 tablets$16.12$0.27
120mg180 tablets$34.03$0.19
160mg180 tablets$41.84$0.23
240mg180 tablets$41.52$0.23
See more Sotalol (Betapace) dosage
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Interactions between Sotalol (Betapace) and other drugs

Sotalol (Betapace) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Sotalol (Betapace). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

See more Sotalol (Betapace) interactions
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How much does Sotalol (Betapace) cost?

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Betapace (brand)
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$15.97

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Sotalol (Betapace) contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Sotalol (Betapace) will not be safe for you to take.

  • Certain heart rate or rhythm problems (e.g., sinus bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome, second and third degree AV block) unless you have a pacemaker
  • Congenital or long QT
  • Cardiogenic shock or decompensated heart failure
  • Blood potassium < 4 mEq/L
  • Asthma or other breathing problems
  • Baseline QT interval > 450 msec (for treatment of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter)
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What are alternatives to Sotalol (Betapace)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Sotalol (Betapace). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Sotalol (Betapace)
Used for:
$15.97Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • Life-threatening ventricular fibrillation that keeps coming back (when other antiarrhythmics haven't worked well)
  • Life-threatening tachycardia that keeps coming back (when other antiarrhythmics haven't worked)
$17.75Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • Prevention of recurrent atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter
  • Treatment of atrial fibrillation or flutter
$22.40Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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News about Sotalol (Betapace)

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Sotalol (Betapace) images

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References

Best studies we found

ALTATHERA Pharmaceuticals, LLC. (2023). SOTALOL HYDROCHLORIDE injection [package insert]. DailyMed.

Arbor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2018). SOTYLIZE- sotalol hydrochloride solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Spoons are for soup, milliliters are for medicine.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.