Sotalol 40 mg

[Kelvyn]

My cardiologist is a very good and caring individual who goes the extra mile for you. I was surprised when he suggested moving away from Bisoporol and Flecanide and suggested Sotalol to combat my AF and Atrial Flutter

He explained that there could be side effects and I was started on a low dose (40mgx2) increasing if I can tolerate it to 80 mg twice daily

Has anyone found that Sotalol works for them as I have seen that it is no longer a drug of choice

Additionally I am being assessed for an ablation

Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

No as you say in UK Sotalol is not much used these days and taken off the advised list. My understanding is that it is both beta blocker and anti-arrhythmic but has problems in that at doses large enough to be anti-arrhythmic can cause some dangerous other arrhythmias in some people. My question would be is your cardio an arrhythmia specialist (an electrophysiologist.) He may be very caring but is he up to speed on latest ideas and treatments? An EP would be.

What is to assess about ablation? If you have paroxysmal AF and dugs are not able to control it then you fall into the approved category. All that then matters is your decision yes or no and probably a long wait.

[Kelvyn in reply to BobD]

Thanks for reply In respect of the assessment I am just going through the process and this appears to be the step to get me on the waiting list I hear that waiting times at Leicester are around 4 months

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Kelvyn]

If you fail two drug regimes then you pass if you see what I mean. Sotalol makes that three in my view. Good luck anyway.

[Kelvyn in reply to BobD]

Thanks It is a maize trying to negotiate your way through

[mikeymike7]

I moved from bisoprolol and flecainide to sotalol and it was OK. Since my cryoablation 2½ years ago, I have continued with sotalol as a PIP. I use it infrequently but it seems to help with the control of the one or two ectopic runs I have had.

[Kelvyn in reply to mikeymike7]

Thanks for replyI It's helpful to hear from others who have travelled the same path

[Mama48 in reply to mikeymike7]

I also use sotalol as a PIP, I have had two ablations and rare occurrences of AF

[hock217 in reply to mikeymike7]

PIP does it work that quickly in an episode with weakness, sweating, feeling faint?

[mikeymike7 in reply to hock217]

It seems to, but luckily, I haven't had to use it very much at all since my ablation.

[jeanjeannie50]

My EP put me on Sotalol for a short while last year, he said it was good for my atrial flutter. Unfortunately it didn't work for me, so I went back on Flecainide.

Jean

[Kelvyn in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for reply It's really helpful

[Sarah57 in reply to Kelvyn]

I have used Soltalol as PIp for 15 years and it worked well for me then. I found it not to be as effective as a daily drug for PAF when it became more regular. I was taking up to 4 x 40mg a day and PAF would break through, however after, a so far successful cryoablation last year,I just keep 40mg as a PIp again, but not used yet ! Long may it last! Good luck and hopefully an ablation will work for you too.

with good wishes

Sarah

[Kelvyn in reply to Sarah57]

Thanks for replying It is helpful to receive others comments

[hock217 in reply to Sarah57]

Thank you Sarah. Will discuss with EP. Ablation and PIP would minimize risk diverticulitis so sounds perfect.

[Thom2 in reply to Sarah57]

After a broken hip operation which was a few days after a heart and stent operation, I started to have AF attacks. I was put on Sotolol. As the attacks continued my doctor kept raising the dosage until I was at 40mg of Sotolol twice daily. At a yearly checkup I stated that my heart rate seemed low at night and that I was waking up at night gasping for air and that I thought that I was having spells where I was not breathing. My cardiologist put a device on me to check my heart rate for a night. When saw the results he call me with some urgency in his voice and told me that my heart rate was dropping below 40bpm and that I must stop taking Sotolol. I had been taking Sotolol for around 8 years and thinking that it was helping, the thought of stopping worried me. I have been off Sotolol for about 2 years now without a single AF episode. While on Sotolol things that would trigger AF were alcohol, caffeine, heat/sun, stress etc. Now I can exercise, I live in Phoenix and the past few days I have been working for hours timing trees in the hot sun without AF. At my mens group we were discussing how drugs affect people in differently ways. I told them "you know they test these drugs on rats. Maybe some drugs only work on people that are rats." I don't mean to make light of this issue because it scares the heck out of me. Every time I had AF I would wonder if I was going to see the morning light. Tom

[Teignfisher]

Hi

Yes I take 40mg of Sotolol twice daily and it certainly keeps the af at bay, the only side effects I get are aching legs and a little breathless. At my pacemaker check on Wednesday they were pleased with how things were and to delay the AV node ablation. Aching legs are a nuisance though.

Good luck

[Kelvyn in reply to Teignfisher]

Thanks for reply It's useful to hear of your experiences as it is helpfu

[Clarrie]

I have been taking 80mg twice a day of Sotalol for over twelve months and take an extra tablet when I get an attack of AF. I was taking Bisoprol and Flecainide but it didn't suit me and ended up in hospital.

[Kelvyn in reply to Clarrie]

Thanks for replying It really helps to hear other people's experiences

[Rubymurray25 in reply to Clarrie]

I am the same and have been on the 80mg x 2 a day and an extra one when I have a PAF episode . I was changed from Bisoprol after a cardioversion nearly three years ago and seemed to be OK. I was signed off by the hospital heart consultant but recently I have noticed my blood pressure is very high at night but ok during the day and the heartbeat is very regular 24 hours a day. My doctor suggested I upped mI felt it wasn't looked into enough. She then suggested 80mg in the morning and 120mg at night which I have taken for the first time tonight! I have Flecainide 100mg as a PIP but haven't used it, it was given to me whilst in A&E during a holiday 200 miles from home.

I find it all so very confusing and worrying but try and keep the faith!

[Clarrie in reply to Rubymurray25]

I am surprised you have Flecainide as a PIP as when I was changed from Bisoprolol and Flecainide I had to wait five days without any medication before starting on Sotalol.

[Mike11]

Sotalol (and the related dronedarone) either works very well, as it did for a friend of mine, or not at all (for me).

If you have no improvement or problems with it after a week phone your doctor to ask to go back to the old treatement.

[Kelvyn in reply to Mike11]

Thanks for your reply It was helpful

[Algienon]

Have been on Sotalol 40mg twice a day for 9 years and talking to a Cardiologist recently told me to continue with same.

Hope it goes OK for you.

[Kelvyn in reply to Algienon]

Thank you for replying Other people's experiences really help

[Bolander]

I was shifted to ~Sotalol after problems with Amariodarone after a cardioversion for atrial flutter. and have not experienced any side effects (or, apart from a isolated episode, any recurrence of AF)/. As with any drugs some people will experience side effects and others won't. Why not give Sotalol a try but be alert for any side effects.

[Kelvyn in reply to Bolander]

Thanks for replying Helpful comments are really useful

[Jane921 in reply to Kelvyn]

I'm on Sotalol 80mg twice a day and 40mg, if in AF. My cardiologist switched me from amiodarone in 2010 because of breakthrough AF. Even after both ablations my EP has kept me on this dosage. No side effects except my blood pressure is generally on the low end of normal.

[Kelvyn in reply to Jane921]

Thanks for replying It's very useful to hear of other people's experiences

[Junoesque]

I am on 160mg twice a day of sotalol for PAF the smaller doses didn't work for me. I have a pacemaker so am able to be given this high dose. So far so good. I started out taking 80mg twice a day gradually my GP increased this because my AF was not kept at bay. I do not have any significant side affects except tiredness. Fingers crossed it gives me some release for a while at least. Go for it.

[Kelvyn in reply to Junoesque]

Thanks I am definitely going to give it a good go

[danagreen]

To my surprise soltalol works very well after two ablations and previous bisoprolol for persistent AF. Early days yet but feeling quite good. Headaches and aching joints which I hope will ease but being in NSR is such a relief that I feel I can breathe again

[Kelvyn]

Thanks I am encouraged by many of the positive comments to give it a good try

[shorttail]

After spell in hospital last year for AFib, I have 80mg Sotalol twice a day and seems to do well for me.

[Kelvyn in reply to shorttail]

Thanks for replying It helps to learn of others experiences