Sotalol

[Lainie2875]

Hi , I have just been put on sotalol as a pip, reading the possible side effects I have to say I have some reservations, is anyone else being treated this way ?

[PeterWh]

Your EP or cardiologist must have a reason for doing this as solatol is no longer recommended as a first line treatment for AF but there are exceptions. See AFA fact sheets and booklets and NICE guidances and also NHS reports and articles.

[Thomps95]

My next door neighbour has been on sotolol for 16 years and has not had an episode since. I think we each respond a bit differently to medications - so monitor how it affects you carefully, perhaps keeping a diary when you take it.

[Chauffeurs in reply to Thomps95]

I was the same til last January when I suddenly had a fast episode of AF after 15 years after being on sot a lol 80mg twice daily...nothing else.After my hospital stay I was put on Digoxin...terrible drug..and horrendous side effects.I decided to come off it and now take 200 mg per day sota lol and have been fine ..in SR apart from the occasional ectopic.I've never had a problem with sot a lol ( having to separate the word here as it goes back to Somalia for some reason!)

[Thomps95 in reply to Chauffeurs]

Interesting you say this about Digoxin. I don't know why they ever prescribe it. My cardiologist gave me digoxin a few years ago and it was horrible. It felt like the drug turned me into some kind fragile machine, with an ineffectual, rapid, and somewhat irregular pulse. I stopped immediately after the first dose and consider it to be poison.

[Chauffeurs in reply to Chauffeurs]

Yes...I was put on digoxin after a hospital admission last January and felt really ill on it plus it didn't stop the erratic pulse at all.I eventually upped my sotalol to 200mg per day and have been stable for months.I know tho that this is a rogue condition which can reoccur at any time but as it was 12 years between AF events Im hopeful!!

[mikeymike7]

I took sotalol regularly before my cryoablation and now use it as a PIP. I found it far less of a problem than bisoprolol. My understanding is that it can be problematic for some people which is why I presume I started taking it under close medical observation.

It can cause a prolonged q-t interval which is apparently not an effect one would want! If in doubt, ask for some clarification and get piece of mind! Nothing worse than being afraid of a drug that is supposed to help as I found with flecainide!

I was misinformed by a locum cardiologist who told me that I should never take this particular drug at more than 50mg per day doses. I subsequently found that less than 100mg was totally ineffective for me and I went on to use this particular drug for over a year to keep the AF at bay.

[Hidden in reply to mikeymike7]

I took Sotalol for two years with no side effects and then suddenly I had 3 AF episodes within 3 months. On examination the cardiologist found it had prolonged my QT interval and let rogue electrical impulses take over. I was put on Bisoprolol and have been OK since.

[BobD Volunteer]

One down side of this world accessed forum is that we in UK have some serious guidelines which may not affect those in other countries. I presume that you are not in England Lainie?

[tony85 in reply to BobD]

I don't live in the UK and I do find that some of the UK doctors recommendations are not always in line with what my doctors think. Most of the specialists I see are trained in the US. For instance, my cardiologist is very against the new anticoagulants citing unknown long term side effects. He claims warfarin is still the best drug provided it is taken properly and INR tests are carried out regularly. Interestingly, food which reacts most with wafarin, namely kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli. parsely and spinach are not grown where I live in Thailand. They are imported and expensive so very little is eaten and the average Thai diet would not contain much food that would affect wafarin. Another big difference is that an INR test costs only GBP 5 and I can get it done at a lab without a doctors order and have the results back in 4 hours by email. (there are plenty of good labs everywhere). I can also buy warfarin without prescription at my chemist. But I do not think that the same facilities are available in the UK.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to tony85]

Tony, whilst I agree that if warfarin works for a person there is no need to look at NOACs (I have been on it eleven years + with no problems) for some people it just isn't working and for those NOACs are literally a life saver. Since AF Association started in UK and we work within UK and European Society of Cardiology protocols and guidelines those are what we promote. Personally I think much of the US reluctance on NOACs is driven by fear of litigation which here in UK we are less at risk of. For now!

If it works for you then great but as you surmise in UK prescriptions are required and we have much tighter controls on drugs although NICE guidelines approve self testing of INR.

[PeterWh in reply to tony85]

Equally in all countries there are consultants who would always propose a NOAC. as always medics opinions are personal though they should work within guidelines.

[dave1950 in reply to tony85]

Another big difference is that an INR test costs only GBP 5 and I can get it done at a lab without a doctors order and have the results back in 4 hours by email. (there are plenty of good labs everywhere). I can also buy warfarin without prescription at my chemist. But I do not think that the same facilities are available in the UK.

No, it's all free here! Well at least if you are over 65 anyway!

[tony85 in reply to dave1950]

Yes, but you have to go to a Doctor to get a prescription and here n

[PeterWh in reply to BobD]

I looked in Lainie's profile before I wrote my response and she IS in the UK.

[Mama48]

I take sotalol as a pip and find it works for me

[nopely]

Sotalol works for me. I've tried a few calcium/betas. My only known side effect is the cardio output during exercise - however, if you are PIP - this will not be a cocern.

Most importantly - EVERYONE is different. It's about finding what works for you😊

[Fenderman]

I was prescribed sonatol by my ep in april and so far apart from cold feet and hands i have not noticed any other side effects. I agree some of the side effects are worrying but i shall make a decision about asking for an ablation in the next year or so dependant on how my af progresses

[Bolander]

I had several side effects when on Amiodarone and was moved onto Soltalol which has not had any ill effects. Indeed in my case its dual function as a rate control and rhythm control drug allowed me to drop Bisoprolol. This illustrates that individual reactions to drugs can vary widely, so it is a matter of finding the best solution for each person.

[karim123]

I was in sotalol for 7 years with no reaction / just try to write down wen u have episode so u can discusse with with ur cardia

[GolfMyrtleBeach]

I have been on Sotalol ( 2 x 120mg) since 2011. No adverse side effects for me other than I used to think it made me somewhat short of breath at times. Now that I have dropped 30 pounds even that perception has gone. I can say that it has no effect for me as a PIP however - I have to remain on a steady sustained dose for it to do anything at all.