Generic Betapace ® : Sotalol HCL
Sotalol HCL is the chemical name of the active ingredient in Betapace ®

Tablets
Chemical Name: SOTALOL (SOE-ta-lole)

Common uses : This medicine is a beta-blocker used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeat (ventricular arrhythmias). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Before using : WARNING: Because this medicine may sometimes cause an abnormal or irregular heartbeat, patients who begin taking this medicine should be observed in a hospital or similar setting where heart and kidney function monitoring may be performed for at least 3 days after starting this medicine. Close monitoring of your heart and/or kidney function may also be needed if your dose is changed. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking cisapride, astemizole, terfenadine, mibefradil, dofetilide, or theophylline. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking albuterol, salmeterol, amiodarone, digoxin, clonidine, calcium channel blockers (such as diltiazem or verapamil), certain other medicines for abnormal heart rhythm (such as disopyramide, quinidine, flecainide, encainide, procainamide, propafenone, or quinidine), medicine for diabetes (such as insulin or repaglinide), certain macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin, and clarithromycin) certain ketolide antibiotics (such as telithromycin), medicine for impotence (such as sildenafil, vardenafil, or tadalafil), certain quinolone antibiotics (such as levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, or moxifloxacin), tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline or imipramine), reserpine, guanethidine, indomethacin, droperidol, ketanserin, mefloquine, alpha 1 adrenergic blockers (such as prazosin), bepridil, phenylpropanolamine, phenothiazines (such as thioridazine), or other medicines for certain mental or mood disorders (such as or ziprasidone). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including any breathing or lung problems, heart problems, thyroid problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. ROUTINE USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have certain heart problems (such as severe low heart rate, uncontrolled heart failure, or certain types of abnormal heartbeat rhythm), low blood potassium or magnesium levels, severe kidney problems, or a history of asthma. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Directions : Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Try to take it the same way (either with food or without food) each time you take your dose. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking this medicine with food. DO NOT TAKE ANTACIDS CONTAINING aluminum or magnesium within 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Take this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you to remember. CONTINUE TAKING THIS MEDICINE even if you feel better. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.

Cautions : DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL days for this medicine to work. Do not stop using this medicine without checking with your doctor. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including kidney function, heart function, and blood pressure may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your reaction to changes in your blood sugar. Monitor your blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Possible side effects : SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include dizziness, fatigue, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience an irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat; chest pain; shortness of breath; or swelling of the feet or ankles. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions : Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions

If you take too much : IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe weakness, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, slow heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.

Additional information : DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF YOU WILL BE USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.