Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine, Sotylize
- Antidysrhythmics, II;
- Antidysrhythmics, III;
- Beta-Blockers, Nonselective
Description
Nonselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent and class III antiarrhythmic
Used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias
May induce QT prolongation and torsade de pointes
Indications
Indicated for treatment of life-threatening ventricular tachycardia; antiarrhythmic drugs may not enhance survival in patients with ventricular arrhythmias
Indicated for maintenance of normal sinus rhythm in patient with highly symptomatic atrial fibrillation/flutter (AFIB/AFL) who are currently in sinus rhythm
Indicated for the maintenance of normal sinus rhythm in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter who are currently in sinus rhythm.
Contraindications
Sinus bradycardia (<50 bpm), sick sinus syndrome or second or third degree AV block without a pacemaker
Congenital or acquired long QT syndromes, QT interval >450 ms
Cardiogenic shock, decompensated heart failure
Serum potassium <4 mEq/L
Bronchial asthma or related bronchospastic conditions
Known hypersensitivity to sotalol
Adverse Effects
- Dyspnea (21%)
- Dizziness (20%)
- Fatigue (20%)
- Bradycardia (16%)
- Chest pain (16%)
- Palpitation (14%)
- Weakness (13%)
- Lightheadedness (12%)
- Nausea/vomiting (10%)
- Edema (8%)
- Headache (8%)
- Sleep disturbances (8%)
- Abnormal ECG (7%)
- Diarrhea (7%)
- Extremity pain (7%)
- Hypotension (6%)
- Mental confusion (6%)
- Congestive heart failure (5%)
- Itching/rash (5%)
- Syncope (5%)
- Anxiety (4%)
- Depression (4%)
- Torsades de pointes or new ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation in patients with supraventricular arrhythmia (4%)
- Peripheral vascular disorders (3%)
- Impotence (2%)
- Proarrhythmic effect (1.5-2%)
- Torsades de pointes with history of sustained ventricular tachycardia (1%)
- Catechol hypersensitivity after abrupt withdrawal
- Increased insulin requirement in diabetics
Warnings
Significant reductions of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure may occur; monitor hemodynamics in patients with marginal cardiac compensation
New onset or worsening heart failure may occur during initiation or uptitration of sotalol owing to its beta-blocking effects; monitor for signs and symptoms of heart failure and discontinue treatment if symptoms occur
Patients with bronchospastic diseases (eg, chronic bronchitis, emphysema) should not receive beta-blockers; if sotalol must be used, use smallest effective dose to minimize inhibition of bronchodilation produced by endogenous or exogenous catecholamine stimulation of beta2 receptors
May mask sign of hypoglycemia (ie, tachycardia)
Avoid abrupt withdrawal in patients with thyroid disease, as it may exacerbate symptoms of hyperthyroidism
While taking beta-blockers, patients with a history of anaphylactic reaction to allergens may have a more severe reaction on repeated challenge, either accidental, diagnostic or therapeutic; may be unresponsive to usual epinephrine doses
Chronically administered beta-blocking therapy should not be routinely withdrawn before major surgery; however, the impaired ability of the heart to respond to reflex adrenergic stimuli may augment the risks of general anesthesia and surgical procedures
Pregnancy and Lactation
This drug should not be administered to a pregnant woman unless clinical benefit outweighs potential risk to fetus
The excretion of ibutilide into breast milk has not been studied; accordingly, breastfeeding should be discouraged during therapy with this drug
Maximum Dosage
320 mg/day PO for atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter; 640 mg/day PO for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias; 600 mg/day IV.
320 mg/day PO for atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter; 640 mg/day PO for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias; 600 mg/day IV.
Safety and efficacy have not been established; 180 mg/m2/day or 7.2 mg/kg/day PO is the maximum dosage recommended by FDA-approved labeling; alternatively, doses up to 10 mg/kg/day PO have been used for the management of various tachyarrhythmias.
2 to 12 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established; 180 mg/m2/day or 7.2 mg/kg/day PO is the maximum dosage recommended by FDA-approved labeling; alternatively, doses up to 10 mg/kg/day PO have been used for the management of various tachyarrhythmias.
1 year: Safety and efficacy have not been established; see full prescribing information for age-specific dosing chart; doses up to 10 mg/kg/day PO have been used for the management of various tachyarrhythmias.
Safety and efficacy have not been established; see full prescribing information for age-specific dosing chart; doses up to 10 mg/kg/day PO have been used for the management of various tachyarrhythmias.
Safety and efficacy have not been established; see full prescribing information for age-specific dosing chart; doses up to 10 mg/kg/day PO have been used for the management of various tachyarrhythmias.
How supplied
Sotalol hydrochloride
tablet (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine, generic)
- 80mg
- 120mg
- 160mg
oral solution
- 5mg/mL (Sotylize)
injectable solution
- 15mg/mL