Betapace AF (Sotalol Af)

Do’s

• Take Betapace AF by mouth as directed by your healthcare provider, usually 1 to 3 times a day. It may be taken with or without food, but it is important to choose one way and take it the same way with each dose.
• If using the liquid form of Betapace AF, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon.
• Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, dosage is also based on age and body size.
• Use Betapace AF regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
• If your condition does not improve or worsens, inform your healthcare provider.

Don’ts

• Household spoons should not be used when measuring liquid form, as they may not provide the correct dose.
• If using antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, do not take them at the same time as Betapace AF, as they can bind to Betapace AF and decrease its absorption and effectiveness. Separate doses of these antacids and Betapace AF by at least 2 hours to reduce this interaction.
• Do not take more of Betapace AF than prescribed, as this may increase the risk of side effects, including a new serious abnormal heartbeat. Similarly, do not take less of this medication or skip doses unless directed by your healthcare provider.
• Do not interrupt or discontinue Betapace AF without your healthcare provider's advice. Additionally, ensure that you do not run out of this medication and order refills several days early to avoid running out of pills.

• Fatigue
• Bradycardia (a heartbeat of less than 50 bpm)
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Proarrhythmia
• Abnormal physical weakness or lack of energy (asthenia)
• Dizziness

These are not all of the side effects of Betapace AF. If you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects while taking this medication, seek medical advice from your healthcare provider.

Betapace AF can cause serious and potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias such as sustained VT/VF, primarily Torsade de Pointes (TdP) type ventricular tachycardia, a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with QT interval prolongation.

Class Ia antiarrhythmic drugs, such as disopyramide, quinidine, and procainamide, and other Class III drugs (for example, amiodarone) are not recommended as concomitant therapy with Betapace AF, because of their potential to prolong refractoriness.

When discontinuing chronically administered Betapace AF, particularly in patients with ischemic heart disease, gradually reduce the dosage over a period of 1 to 2 weeks, if possible, and monitor the patient. If angina markedly worsens or acute coronary ischemia develops, treat appropriately and consider the use of an alternative beta-blocker.

Patients with bronchospastic diseases (for example chronic bronchitis and emphysema) should not receive beta-blockers. If Betapace AF is to be administered, use the smallest effective dose, to minimize inhibition of bronchodilation produced by endogenous or exogenous.

These warnings and precautions are important to consider when using Betapace AF. Discuss any concerns or questions about these warnings with your healthcare provider.