Betapace/ Betapace-AF

[cynthia]

A question...

I was just reading about Betapace and Betapace-AF...they do two different things- Betapace is taken for V-tach and Betapace-AF is taken for A-fib or A-flutter. If someone is currently taking, for instance, atenolol and had to put be on the Betapace-AF, would most likely you be taken off the atenolol? I'm assuming they are both beta blockers

[Bruce]

That's what I thought, I'm now on Betapace (Sotalol) why do I need a Beta Blocker (Toporal XL)? Both my Cardiologist and EP said that I need to continue taking the Toporal XL with the Sotalol because they control different heart functions or as in my case malfunctions. These two together is a whole lot better than the Amiodarone/Toporal combo I was on :shock:

[Sarah]

betapace is not a pure beta-blocker. think of it as a beta-blocker on steroids. it is much stronger than a regular beta-blocker and has anti-arrhythmic properties, which is why it is in a "heavier" class of drugs than bbs.

see intellihealth.com or mayoclinic.com for drug databases.

s

[Dorothy]

When I was on Sotalol and Toprol XL, it was indeed to control different heart "mis"functions. The Sotalol (Betapace) is an anti-arrythmic and Toprol XL (Beta-blocker) is to help reduce the how hard your heart has to work.

It worked for me for almost two years. Sometimes medications need to be changed and/or adjusted to meet individual needs. Hope this helps.

Dorothy