Sotalol (Betapace)

Read these points before you start. If any of them apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.

• High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, so keep taking your medicine even when you feel well. Stopping can make your blood pressure rise again.
• It can make you feel dizzy, especially when you stand up quickly or when you first start. Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.
• Alcohol can make dizziness worse and raise blood pressure over time. Keep it to small amounts.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems.
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly, as your doctor advises.
• Do not stop taking it suddenly. This can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat or even a heart attack. Your doctor will lower the dose slowly if you need to stop.
• Tell your doctor if you have asthma or COPD, a slow heartbeat, heart block, very poor circulation in the hands or feet, or uncontrolled heart failure.
• If you have diabetes, it can hide signs of low blood sugar, such as a fast heartbeat. Check your sugar more often.
• Tell your doctor if you take verapamil or diltiazem, as the combination can slow the heart too much.
• Tell your surgeon or dentist that you take it before any operation.
• It can cause a dangerous heart rhythm called torsades de pointes. You will need ECG (heart tracing) checks.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, low potassium or magnesium, or take other medicines that affect heart rhythm (some antibiotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics).
• Diarrhoea or vomiting can lower your potassium and raise the risk. Contact your doctor if this happens.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every other medicine, vitamin or herbal product you use.
• Keep this product out of the reach and sight of children.