Betapace Side Effects
Generic name: sotalol
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 13, 2023.
Note: This document contains side effect information about sotalol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Betapace.
Applies to sotalol: intravenous solution. Other dosage forms:
Warning
Intravenous route (Solution)
Sotalol can cause life threatening ventricular tachycardia associated with QT interval prolongation. To minimize the risk of drug induced arrythmia, initiate or uptitrate intravenous sotalol in a facility that can provide continuous electrocardiographic monitoring and cardiac resuscitation. Do not initiate intravenous sotalol therapy if the baseline QTc is longer than 450 ms. If the QTc prolongs to 500 ms or greater, reduce the dose or discontinue.
Serious side effects of Betapace
Along with its needed effects, sotalol (the active ingredient contained in Betapace) 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sotalol:
More common
- Blurred vision
- chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
- confusion
- difficult or labored breathing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- increased sweating
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- sweating
- swelling
- trouble breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Arm, back, or jaw pain
- body aches or pain
- chest heaviness
- chills
- cold hands and feet
- cough
- decreased urine output
- diarrhea
- difficulty with breathing
- difficulty with speaking
- dilated neck veins
- dizziness
- double vision
- ear congestion
- fainting
- fever
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
- inability to speak
- irregular breathing
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- loss of voice
- muscle aches and pains
- nausea
- nervousness
- noisy breathing
- pounding in the ears
- runny or stuffy nose
- shivering
- slow speech
- sneezing
- sore throat
- swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- trouble sleeping
- vomiting
- weight gain
Incidence not known
- Black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- blue lips and fingernails
- coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
- difficult, fast, or noisy breathing
- increased sweating
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- swelling in the legs and ankles
- swollen glands
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking sotalol:
Symptoms of overdose
- Anxiety
- blurred vision
- chest pain or discomfort
- cold sweats
- confusion
- cool, pale skin
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- depression
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- increased hunger
- nightmares
- seizures
- shakiness
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- slurred speech
- sweating
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Other side effects of Betapace
Some side effects of sotalol 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:
Less common
- Abnormal ejaculation
- back pain
- bloated feeling
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- decreased appetite
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- full feeling
- inability to have or keep an erection
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- muscle or bone pain
- passing gas
- rash
- stomach distension
Incidence not known
- Hair loss or thinning of the hair
- itching skin
- loss or thinning of the hair
- muscle aches, cramps, pains, or stiffness
- pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed
- severe sunburn
- swollen joints
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to sotalol: intravenous solution, oral solution, oral tablet.
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Bradycardia (up to 16%), chest pain (up to 16%), palpitation (up to 14%)
Common (1% to 10%): Edema, abnormal ECG, hypotension, proarrhythmia (including Torsade de Pointes), syncope, heart failure, presyncope, vasodilation, Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD) discharge, hypertension, stroke[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 20%), dizziness (up to 20%), asthenia (up to 13%), light headedness (up to 12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, perspiration, paresthesia[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (up to 21%)
Common (1% to 10%): Pulmonary problem, upper respiratory tract problem, asthma[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Nausea/vomiting (up to 10%)
Common (1% to 10%): Appetite disorder, diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, colon problem, flatulence, cramps[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Weight change[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Rash[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Extremity pain, back pain[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Genitourinary disorder, sexual dysfunction[Ref]
Hematologic
Common (1% to 10%): Bleeding[Ref]
Immunologic
Common (1% to 10%): Infection[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Localized pain[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Vision problem[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Fever, abnormal lab value
Frequency not reported: Taste abnormalities, hearing disturbances[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Depression, sleep problem, altered consciousness, anxiety, mood change[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Betapace and Betapace AF?
- What's the difference between Sotalol and Sotalol AF?
More about Betapace (sotalol)
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References
1. Gossinger HD, Siostrzonek P, Schmoliner R, Grimm G, Jager U, Mosslacher H. Sotalol-induced torsades de pointes in a patient with pre-existent normal response to programmed ventricular stimulation. Eur Heart J. 1987;8:1351-3.
2. Product Information. Betapace (sotalol). Berlex Laboratories. 2001;PROD.
3. Hohnloser SH, Vandeloo A, Baedeker F. Efficacy and proarrhythmic hazards of pharmacologic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: prospective comparison of sotalol versus quinidine. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1995;26:852-8.
4. British Medical Association. Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary. http://bnf.org/bnf/ 2006.
5. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. APPGuide online. Australian prescription products guide online. http://www.appco.com.au/appguide/default.asp 2006.
6. Lehtonen A, Hietanen E, Marniemi J, Peltonen P, Nikkila EA. Effect of sotalol withdrawal on serum lipids and lipoprotein lipase activity. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1983;21:73-6.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.