Sotalol experience: I was prescribed... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Sotalol experience

roma60 profile image
14 Replies

I was prescribed Sotalol 80 mg to take twice a day. Need some advice....whats the best way to take it in the morning...before breakfast or after? I like a cup of decaf coffee in the morning any advice. Still nervous about the whole afib thing.

Would appreciate if I hear some individual experiences.

Thanks

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roma60 profile image
roma60
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14 Replies
Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce

Hello Roma.

OK - I can talk about my own experience with Sotalol. I'm on it right now. My dose is a 'starter' at 40 mg twice a day. I would like to either up it to have more effect (likely will be told to this) or knock it on the head. For me I don't find 40 mg ticks many boxes - 80 mg might.

My understanding is you can take it with food or without. It's either one or the other though so stick with that pattern.

"Still nervous about the whole afib thing"

Of course you are - pretty understandable. However we know we have the condition and treatments will help.

Sotalol should help you with this. However other med's could also help. You would of course need to discuss this with your medic.

Paul

Windlepoons profile image
Windlepoons

I take 40mg three times a day as twice wasn't enough. First dose as soon as I wake up, the second just after lunch and the third just after dinner. That is 7.30 am, 1.30 pm and 7.30 pm. I think four doses would be too much for me (a 5' 2" woman) so I went up from twice a day to three times a day). It seems to have doubled the time between my AF episodes, but most importantly made me feel a lot better after meal times when I used to feel dreadful. Not perfect, but I am grateful just to feel a lot better. I am 5 years into AF and due for my first ablation tomorrow. The first was cancelled by the hospital three week ago so I'm keeping my fingers crossed this goes ahead.I feel better on Sotalol than I did on Metaprol, Bisoprol and Flecainide which were tried previously. Good luck with finding the right medication to suit you.

Stucoo profile image
Stucoo in reply to Windlepoons

I take 80mg twice a day (8am & 8pm) with a drink, usually a cup of tea. This is after I have eaten my breakfast or dinner and have experienced no issues.

Hatten28 profile image
Hatten28

Hell Roma I have been taking Sotalol twice daily for17 years, and I take mine approx 7am with a cup of tea which my husband brings me and again about 7 pm with a coffee, I cannot recall being advised to take them at any specific time, it’s just what suits you best, I take breakfast about an hour after tablets and have been fine so I think it’s how you fit taking the tablets in with your routine. Probably best to have some kind of regime for the best outcome.Hope this helps and good luck

Hatten

Dee5165 profile image
Dee5165

I was placed on 40 mgs of Sotalol to start when I was diagnosed with Afib in January. It did not work. I was told 40 mgs. does not have any anti-arrhythmia benefits. Sotalol was increased to 80 mgs. Worked for only one week. Cardiologist increased dosage to 120 mgs. Side effects were awful. No QOL. (Quality of Life) Dropped back to 80 mgs. and added magnesium Taurate/Glycinate, Wild Alaskan Fish Oil, Hawthorn Berry instead 2 to 3 times a day. Takes 8-10 weeks to have benefits but was worth it. BP now normal and Afib temporarily gone.

Sparky143 profile image
Sparky143

Hi,Were you given Sotalol after a cardioversion in hospital or did your cardio doc just prescribe it out patient? Just curious.

I've been placed on it several times post cardioversion. It's supposed to help keep you in rhythm. For awhile it did. But without identifying the root cause of an arrythmia, it's no mystery that these drugs have a wide variety of effectiveness since everyone is different.

I've begun working with a Homeopath. I wish I'd done that at the beginning. I would leave no stone unturned. You didn't get AFIB from a deficiency in Sotalol. That's how I think of all these drugs although sometimes they can be very effective. Cheers. Sparky

roma60 profile image
roma60 in reply to Sparky143

Hallo Sparky, doctor started my on Sotalol 80 mg out patient. I was worried about that but so far its been ok. Have mild side effects, feeling dizzy, and being constipated. I am on it just one week now, lets see how it works.

Sparky143 profile image
Sparky143 in reply to roma60

Good luck Dear. Are you out of NSR now hoping Soltalol will bring you back in?Trying to get clear on just what this medicine is capable of. It's been used in me to sustain NSR after a cardioversion. I wonder if it could also help bring the heart back in when it's out. Thanks for writing. Wishing you success very soon!

Bolander profile image
Bolander

I was changed to Sotalol after a bad experience with Amiodarone post cardioversion and have been on it several years without a recurrence of flutter. I take 80mg first thing in the morning and last thing at night, to combine with other drugs, but the experience of other posters seems to confirm that you can take it whenever it suits you.

Sparky143 profile image
Sparky143 in reply to Bolander

You were wise to do so. Amiodorone is a horrible drug. A black box drug. I can't believe I allowed them to put me on it for 6 mos. Glad you are staying in rhythm!

ralft profile image
ralft

I have taken it on and off for many years and my current dose is 80 mg twice a day. About 3 years ago I learned that metals will interfere with Sot. The recommendations say to allow at least 2 hours between the dot and any metal. I was taking magnesium and multi vitamins simultaneously. Since then the Sot effectiveness has been essentially 100%

Sparky143 profile image
Sparky143 in reply to ralft

Hi..would you mind please explain what you mean specifically by any " metal"? Thanks.

sotolol profile image
sotolol

Hi I took 80 mg three times a day. Was on it for about 12/odd years. Not a problem till Af episodes started to become frequent.Was put on Bisoprolol 10 mg . Best ever for me. Some folks on here call it devil's spawn lol. Being worried won't help your condition just swallow and go. If you get side effects talk to your cardiologist. Hope you get on with them. Best of the best to you.

ralft profile image
ralft

No metal is simply a precaution I found on line. I suspect magnesium is a major concern. I take lots of supplements and studied them to see if there was any metal ingredients. Besides the magnesium I avoid multi vits, zinc and iron taken at the same time as the sotolol

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