Change of meds from Bisoprolol to Sotalol . I have asthma and copd so very scared.

[nalaberry]

Episodes of very fast PAF started in January 2013. My episodes are ALWAYS very fast - 170 - 210 . I take rivaroxaban and bisoprolol. Always go to A&E ( as told to do by docs) if heart rate remains over 150 for more than 2.5 /3 hrs. My heart usually returns to NSR within 3.5/ 4 hours , sometimes as I arrive at hospital , lol. Had 5 episodes in 2018 , then read about magnesium taurate on here. Started taking that in January 2019 plus C and zinc and had no episodes the whole year. Was so happy , thought I had cracked it. In Jan this year, I had an episode that lasted 20 hours and another short one in April , both brought on by ( unbelievable as it sounds, but cardiologist agrees ) laughing so hard ! That's a new one on me but he said it definitely happens. He wants to put me on sotalol. I have asthma and copd , which he knows . I have read the info on this drug and it has scared me so much I have not yet filled the prescription. Anyone else taking Sotalol ? Anyone with lung problems ? Would love to hear all your thoughts. Thank you

[BobD Volunteer]

Sotalol is not a drug I have taken but for sure Bisoprolol is not one that I would have thought you should take if you have asthma or COPD in any case.

[nalaberry in reply to BobD]

On the info for Sotalol it states , for people with asthma, don't take sotalol. That is what is worrying me

[Nan1]

Good morning, I was prescribed Sotalol in 2014 and have asthma so was concerned to start taking it but haven’t had any problems at all. It hasn’t made my asthma any worse. Hasn’t stopped me having spells of AF though.

[nalaberry in reply to Nan1]

Thanks Nan. Although you still have episodes, did it perhaps keep the heart rate lower during episodes than before ?

[Nan1 in reply to nalaberry]

Possibly slightly lower. When I get spells of AF now it usually around 122-130. I wish you well

[cassie46]

I was on Bisoprolol for a few years, tolerated it okay but did make me breathless, I have mild copd as well as AF and HF. I had read on the forum that many people had been changed to Nebivolol which is recommended for anyone with lung issues. I asked at my cardio appointments to change to Nebivolol but to no avail, One of the cardio doctors gave me a prescription for Carvedilol, when I got the pack of tablets on the back of the packets in bold was a warning - Do not take this medicine if you have a history of asthma or other lung issues. I did not take the tablets and was fuming with the doctor.

I eventually got my GP to change me to Nebivolol and it has been a great improvement. Far less breathlessness and seem to be more alert on this medication. Also my HR seems to be more stable a a little lower than when on Biso, same dose 5mg.

I have no knowledge of Solotol, I would ask to go on Nebivolol, hope you can sort this out.

Cassie

[nalaberry in reply to cassie46]

Hi Cassie, thanks for sharing your experience. One if the first questions I asked the cardiologist was can I please change to Nebivolol because I had heard it was better for lung function, and he said it was no better than Bisoprolol and that both had little effect on lung function. That was when he said he wanted me to try Sotalol, which I knew nothing about until I looked it up afterwards.

[etheral]

These drugs are all beta-blockers, any of which can cause bronchospasm in patients with underlining asthma.

[ILowe]

I can understand that a cardiologist wanted you to try Sotolol. It is both a betablocker and works to calm down the rhythm. I was on it for several years, until my naturally fluctuating creatinine /urea levels were slightly over the limits on two tests, six months apart. A British GP advised me to get these checked every six months. When they got too high, it meant escalating to bisoprolol and flecainide, with the understanding I could always try sotolol again if I needed to. I cope with mild asthma just using salbutamol 2-4 times a day. So in your case I would not be afraid to try it, perhaps with dose adjustments.

[nalaberry in reply to ILowe]

Thank you

[Clarrie]

I used to take Bisoprolol but it didn't control y AF so was changed to Sotalol. I still get attacks of AF but it keeps my heart rate lower. It never goes above 120 now whereas it used to be 180.

[nalaberry in reply to Clarrie]

That's good , makes me feel more positive. Thank you

[marcyh]

My EP put me on it a few weeks ago to keep my heart from racing when I have an episode. (My lungs are fine and my heart has no structural damage. ) Here is my experience: I ended up with a resting heart rate of below 40 at times and an almost-constant arrhythmia. After having a scary time in a lab (shortness of breath) I called my AF clinic and was ok'd to go off immediately. According to a cardiac nurse friend, this is not the drug for me. I was on it only one week.

[nalaberry]

Gosh, that must have been dreadful for you. I guess I will have to try it and see what happens . What dosage did he start you on ? I am to start with 40mg twice a day