It seems that instead of getting an answer to my last ?,I instead
received biased opinions.So again,what are the currently available
generic substitutes that a pharmacist can CHOOSE to substitute for
afib instead of Betapace AF.I understand the risks and I seek only the
NAMES of the manufactures' and the NAMES under which generic sotolol
is marketed at the pharamacy cash register,as well as the price
comparisons to branded Betapace AF in 80,120,160mg.I have done my
homework on the safety issues,and do not wish any other than the
answer to my question.

Hi -

Sotalol is the generic name of the medicine contained in BetaPace and
BetaPace AF.  BetaPace may be substituted by generic sotalol by a
pharmacist - BetaPace AF on the other hand, is not considered
equivalent to BetaPace or to generic sotalol (product info for
BetaPace AF - see first paragraph - pdf format -
http://www.betapaceaf.com/PDF/BetapaceAF_PI.pdf).  Berlex, the
manufacturer of BetaPace and BetaPace AF have a press release
concerning this non-equivalency: 
http://www.betapaceaf.com/patient/in_the_news/pr2.htm.

A cautionary tale from an MD regarding substition of generic sotalol
for BetaPace AF:
http://www.accfl.org/news-june2001.htm

A suggestion that the difference is only in labelling and packaging:
http://www.cop.ufl.edu/vdis/QOW_BETA.HTM

In essence, there is currently no generic sotalol that is approved for
substitution for BetaPace AF.  I was unable to find information on
when a generic might be available.  Perhaps a call, or visit, to the
prescribing doc could result in a change in the prescription from
BetaPace AF to BetaPace (for which generic sotalol could be
substituted) or to another medicine for which a generic is available.