Sotalol

Sotalol treats certain types of irregular heartbeats. Do not suddenly stop taking your medication as this may cause you harm. Your doctor will slowly taper you off this medication.

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Sotalol Overview

Reviewed: September 29, 2013
Updated: 

Sotalol is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats (known medically as arrhythmias).

This medication belongs to a group of drugs called antiarrhythmics which work by blocking potassium channels in the heart, slowing down electrical signals to stabilize heart rhythm. Sotalol also belongs to the beta blocker class of drugs which slow the heart rate.

This medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken twice daily.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects include tiredness, slow heart rate, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

How was your experience with Sotalol?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Sotalol?

What are you taking Sotalol for?

Choose one
  • Other
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Atrial Flutter
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular
  • Ventricular Fibrillation

How long have you been taking it?

Choose one
  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Sotalol work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Sotalol to a friend?

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Uses of Sotalol

Sotalol is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats (known medically as arrhythmias).

Betapace AF, one brand of sotalol, is approved to maintain normal heart rhythms in those with a history of atrial fibrillation or flutter.

Sotalol injection is also used in patients who have a history of atrial fibrillation or flutter in order to maintain a normal ryhthm. Sotalol injection may also be used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Sotalol Brand Names

Sotalol may be found in some form under the following brand names:

Sotalol Drug Class

Sotalol is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Sotalol

Oral/Injectable:

Common side effects include:

  • tiredness
  • slow heart rate
  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness
  • chest pain
  • a pounding or racing heart beat
  • weakness
  • slowed heart rate

This is not a complete list of sotalol side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

Sotalol FDA Warning

Sotalol oral:

To minimize the risk of induced arrhythmia, patients initiated or reinitiated on sotalol should be placed for a minimum of three days (on their maintenance dose) in a facility that can provide cardiac resuscitation and continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. Creatinine clearance should be calculated prior to dosing. For detailed instructions regarding dose selection and special cautions for people with renal impairment. 

Sotalol is also indicated for the maintenance of normal sinus rhythm [delay in time to recurrence of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AFIB/AFL)] in patients with symptomatic AFIB/AFL who are currently in sinus rhythm and is marketed under the brand name Betapace AF. Betapace is not approved for the AFIB/AFL indication and should not be substituted for Betapace AF because only Betapace AF is distributed with a patient package insert that is appropriate for patients with AFIB/AFL.

Sotalol Injection:

To minimize the risk of induced arrhythmia, patients initiated or re-initiated on intravenous sotalol, and patients who are converted from intravenous to oral administration should be hospitalized in a facility that can provide cardiac resuscitation, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring and calculations of creatinine clearance.

  • Sotalol can cause life threatening ventricular tachycardia associated with QT interval prolongation
  • Do not initiate sotalol therapy if the baseline QTc is longer than 450 ms. If the QT interval prolongs to 500 ms or greater, the dose must be reduced, the duration of the infusion prolonged or the drug discontinued
  • Adjust the dosing interval based on creatinine clearance