Betapace vs. Lopressor

Betapace (sotalol) and Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) are beta-blockers used to treat different types of heart conditions.

Betapace is used for treating ventricular arrhythmias.

Lopressor is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), angina, and heart attacks.

Side effects of Betapace and Lopressor that are similar include headache, indigestion/heartburn, dizziness, tiredness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sleep problems (insomnia), and decreased sexual ability (decreased sex drive, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm).

Side effects of Betapace that are different from Lopressor include fatigue, weakness, slow heart rate, chest pain, palpitations, upset stomach, and pain in your arms or legs.

Side effects of Lopressor that are different from Betapace include dry mouth, gas, constipation, depression, drowsiness, anxiety, nervousness, and rash.

Both Betapace and Lopressor may interact with digoxin, antidepressants, and insulin or oral diabetes medicines.

Betapace may also interact with amiodarone, ketoconazole, itraconazole, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, beta-agonists, blood pressure medications, other medicines that contain sotalol, and antacids containing aluminum or magnesium.

Lopressor may also interact with cimetidine, clonidine, ritonavir, terbinafine, diuretics (water pills), cold medicines, stimulant medicines, diet pills, anti-malaria medications, medicines to treat mental illness, MAO inhibitors, heart medications, or medicines for asthma or other breathing disorders.

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 Lopressor include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dry mouth,
• gas,
• heartburn,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• dizziness,
• tiredness,
• depression,
• decreased sex drive, impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm,
• headache,
• drowsiness,
• tiredness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• anxiety,
• nervousness, and
• rash.

Serious side effects of Lopressor include

• wheezing,
• shortness of breath,
• swelling, or
• irregular rapid heartbeats.

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

Lopressor is a selective beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agent (beta-blocker) used to treat high blood presure (hypertension), angina, and heart attacks. Lopressor is available as a generic.

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

Lopressor may interact with cimetidine, diabetes medications, heart medicines, MAO inhibitors, and medicine to treat psychiatric disorders.

Lopressor may also interact with clonidine, digoxin, ritonavir, terbinafine, diuretics (water pills), cold medicines, stimulant medicines, diet pills, anti-malaria medications, or medicines for asthma or other breathing disorders.

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

Lopressor USP is available as 50 and 100 mg strength tablets for oral administration and as (metoprolol tartrate) Injection, USP in 5 mg strength, in 5 ml ampoules for IV administration. Usual oral dosage is 100 mg per day in single or divided doses; IV begins with a 5 mg injection.