Sotalol

Sotalol is used to treat irregular heartbeats. Sotalol is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by acting on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.

Sotalol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Sotalol (Betapace) is usually taken twice a day and sotalol (Betapace AF) is usually taken once or twice a day on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after or 1 hour before breakfast and your evening meal. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sotalol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Sotalol controls your condition but does not cure it. Continue to take sotalol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking sotalol without talking to your doctor. If sotalol is stopped suddenly, it may cause chest pain or heart attack.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Sotalol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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dizziness</li>
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lightheadedness</li>
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excessive tiredness</li>
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headache</li>
<li>
constipation</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
muscle aches</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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<li>
shortness of breath or wheezing</li>
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swelling of the feet and lower legs</li>
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chest pain</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking sotalol, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sotalol or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially medications for migraine headaches, diabetes, asthma, allergies, colds, or pain; other medications for high blood pressure or heart disease; reserpine; and vitamins. if you are taking aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids (Maalox, Mylanta), take them at least 2 hours before or after sotalol. in addition to the condition listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or liver disease; asthma or other lung disease; disease of the blood vessels; severe allergies; diabetes; or an overactive thyroid gland. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking sotalol. you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.