Sotalol
About Sotalol
Sotalol is used to treat arrhythmia or any other heart condition associated with an irregular heartbeat, such as fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and tachycardia (too fast heartbeat). Arrhythmia is a problem with the rate at which the heart beats.
Sotalol contains Sotalol, which works by blocking abnormal electrical signals in the heart, helping control the heart's irregular and normal beats.
In some cases, this medicine may cause side effects such as fatigue, slow heart rate, dizziness, weakness, and breathlessness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Sotalol should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food. You are advised to take Sotalol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, depending on your medical condition.
Sotalol should be avoided if allergic to it or other components of the formulation. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant, are breastfeeding, have liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid problems, heart failure, a heart valve problem, or have a history of a heart attack.
Uses of Sotalol
Medicinal Benefits
- Sotalol belongs to a group of medications known as 'anti-arrhythmia' drugs, containing Sotalol.
- It works by blocking abnormal electrical signals in the heart, which helps control irregular heartbeats and restore normal heart rhythm.
- It effectively helps to treat problems associated with an irregular heartbeat.
Directions for Use
- Take Sotalol one to two hours before meals, or as advised by the doctor. Do not take it with milk.
- Adhere to your doctor’s guidance regarding the dosage and timing of this medication for optimal effectiveness.
- Swallow Sotalol as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Sotalol
- Fatigue
- Slow heart rate
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Breathlessness
Drug Warnings
- Inform your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to Sotalol,
- Also, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant, are breastfeeding, or have liver disease, kidney disease, untreated phaeochromocytoma (vascular tumour of adrenal medulla), a thyroid problem, heart failure, a heart valve problem, or a history of a heart attack.
- Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals, herbal products and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
- You must closely monitor your blood pressure and heart rate while taking Sotalol.
- Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
- Lifestyle changes are beneficial for achieving optimal outcomes with Sotalol and for keeping blood pressure under control.
- Do not abruptly stop taking Sotalol, as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms like an irregular heartbeat, which can be really fatal.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Disease Interaction: Sotalol is known to interact in patients with hypotension (low blood pressure), heart disease, kidney or liver disease, hyperthyroidism, Raynaud's disease (a blood circulation problem), asthma, and severe diarrhoea.
Drug-Food Interaction: Alcohol should be avoided while taking Sotalol.
Drug-Drug Interaction: Sotalol is known to interact with drugs used for the treatment of high blood pressure (digoxin, amiodarone, verapamil, disopyramide, quinidine, procainamide), heart failure (verapamil, diltiazem), depression (lithium), epilepsy (phenytoin, phenobarbital), allergy (astemizole, terfenadine), antibiotics (erythromycin), malaria (halofantrine), microbial infections (pentamidine), diabetes (insulin), asthma (salbutamol), anxiety (methyldopa).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol intake can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of Sotalol, making you feel dizzy or light-headed. Therefore avoid alcohol while on treatment with Sotalol.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorSotalol is a category C pregnancy medicines. It is not known whether it harms the baby or not. So, it should be taken only if a doctor prescribes you.
Breast Feeding
unsafeSotalol is known to pass through the breast milk. So, breastfeeding women should not take Sotalol.
Driving
cautionSotalol has no or negligible effect on driving and machine operation. However, it should be noted that occasionally dizziness or fatigue may occur.
Liver
consult your doctorLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Sotalol. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Kidney
consult your doctorLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Sotalol. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Children
unsafeSotalol is not recommended for children below 12 years of age as the safety and efficacy of this medicine are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
- Limit your intake of sodium chloride (table salt) to 2300 mg per day or less; 1500 mg or less is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two servings for men is advisable.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress, as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily, and if there is excessive fluctuation, contact your doctor immediately.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to help lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
You should get regular blood tests done to monitor your sodium and potassium levels, blood sugar levels, kidney function, and lung function.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Arrhythmia: Arrhythmia is a condition associated with the rate of rhythm at which the heart beats. Generally, in this condition, the heart beats either too fast, too slow, or irregularly, which can lead to severe heart damage. A cardiac arrhythmia occurs when abnormal electrical signals occur in the heart. When the heart beats too fast, it is called tachycardia; when it beats too slowly, it is called bradycardia. Treatment of arrhythmia includes drugs, medical procedures, implantable devices and sometimes surgery.
FAQs
Sotalol is used to treat arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) or any other heart condition associated with an irregular heartbeat, such as fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)and tachycardia (too fast heartbeat). Arrhythmia is a problem related to the rate of rhythm at which the heart beats.
Sotalol contains Sotalol that works by blocking abnormal electrical signals in the heart, which helps control the uneven beating of the heart and helps to beat normally.
Taking Sotalol can lead to blurred vision, or you may see a circle around dazzling light (halos). It may also make your eyes dry or sensitive to light. If these symptoms are left untreated, it may lead to permanent blindness. Therefore, consult your doctor in case you experience any such problems while taking Sotalol.
Do not abruptly stop taking Sotalol as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms like an irregular heartbeat, which can be really fatal. Consult your doctor, and if he thinks your condition is improving, the dose will be lowered accordingly.
Sotalol may lead to liver toxicity in some cases. The signs of toxicity include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), pale-colored stools, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, dark-colored urine, and stomach pain. Immediately inform your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Sotalol is known to cause fluctuations in sugar level. So, if a patient has diabetes, Sotalol should be taken with caution and regular monitoring of blood sugar level is required.
Sotalol may cause side effects such as dizziness, weakness, fatigue (overtiredness), slow heart rate and breathlessness. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Sotalol should be taken exactly as advised by your doctor. Generally, it is taken once or twice a day with or without food. It is to be swallowed as a whole with water and not to be cut, chewed or crushed.
If you forget to take a dose of Sotalol, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose in the prescribed time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one, as this may increase the risk of side effects.
Sotalol is generally safe when used at the dose and duration advised by your doctor. It may cause temporary side effects that typically resolve on their own. Your doctor will advise you on how to deal with them.
Yes. Sotalol can cause dizziness as a side effect. If this happens to you, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass. However, this is temporary and usually disappears as the treatment continues. Also, you should avoid alcohol while taking Sotalol, as it may worsen the dizziness.
