Betapace vs. Tenormin

Betapace (sotalol) and Tenormin and Tenormin IV (atenolol) are beta-blockers used to treat different types of heart conditions.

Betapace is used to treat ventricular arrhythmias.

Tenormin is used mainly for control of hypertension, chest pain (angina), for management of acute myocardial infarction and occasionally for thyroid storm management.

Side effects of Betapace and Tenormin that are similar include dizziness, tiredness, slow heart rate, nausea, sleep problems (insomnia), and decreased sex drive.

Side effects of Betapace that are different from Tenormin include headache, indigestion, fatigue, weakness, chest pain, palpitations, diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, pain in your arms or legs.

Side effects of Tenormin that are different from Betapace include lightheadedness, depression, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, anxiety, nervousness, and mild shortness of breath.

Both Betapace and Tenormin may interact with digoxin, beta-blockers, and heart or blood pressure medications.

Betapace may also interact with amiodarone, ketoconazole, itraconazole, calcium channel blockers, beta-agonists, tricyclic antidepressants, insulin or oral diabetes medicines, other medicines that contain sotalol, and antacids containing aluminum or magnesium.

Tenormin may also interact with digitalis and indomethacin.

Side effects of Betapace include:

• headache,
• indigestion,
• dizziness,
• fatigue,
• weakness,
• tiredness,
• slow heart rate,
• chest pain,
• palpitations,
• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• pain in your arms or legs, or
• decreased sexual ability.

Common side effects of Tenormin include:

• dizziness,
• faintness,
• feeling lightheaded,
• lethargy,
• fatigue,
• mild slow heart rate,
• depression,
• insomnia,
• nightmares,
• shortness of breath,
• constipation,
• indigestion,
• dry mouth,
• impotence,
• cold feeling in the hands and feet,
• confusion, and
• swelling

Serious side effects of Tenormin may include:

• irregular heartbeat,
• low blood pressure (hypotension),
• pulmonary emboli,
• chest pain, and
• bronchospasm.

Betapace (sotalol) is an antiarrhythmic agent used for treating ventricular arrhythmias. Betapace is available in generic form.

Tenormin is a beta-blocker used mainly for control of hypertension, angina, for management of acute myocardial infarction and occasionally for thyroid storm management. The brand name drug Tenormin is no longer available in the U.S. It may be available in generic form.

Betapace may interact with amiodarone, ketoconazole, itraconazole, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, beta-agonists, tricyclic antidepressants, and antacids containing aluminum or magnesium.

Tenormin may interact with heart medications.

Tenormin may also interact with allergy treatments (or if you are undergoing allergy skin-testing), amiodarone, clonidine, digoxin, disopyramide, guanabenz, MAO inhibitors, diabetes medications, medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders, cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills.

The recommended dose for adults is 80 to 160 mg twice daily.

Tenormin is available in 25, 50 and 100 mg strength tablets; it is also available vials of 5 mg atenolol in ten ml of citrate-buffered solution for intravenous injection. The IV preparation should only be administered by trained personnel. The usual dose for tablets begins at 25 mg once or twice per day and is modified by patient response to the medication. The following information applies to both the tablet and IV forms of atenolol. Use with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) may precipitate bradycardia. This medication should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult the doctor before breastfeeding. Women taking Tenormin should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor. Safety and effectiveness has not been established in pediatric patients.