Hi, I’ve just read a members comment that Sotalol is rarely used anymore, I thought it was quite a new drug for some reason. I take it plus Apixiban, Lipitor and Letrozole. I have all sorts of dizziness/ tinnitus/ hair loss/aches and pains and would love to know which drug is the culprit! Could it be worth asking tO change Sotalol and if so, any suggestions?
Many thanks for any suggestions.
Hx
As far as I know there are quite a few of us on here that take sotalol, I for one have been on it for nine years. I have heard on here that it’s rarely prescribed now, & I am not familiar with alternatives . I am sure you will get answers soon from members.
Thank you- love your name!
😊thank you , don’t really know why I chose it, just popped into my head one day😃
Hi HelenClare - Sotolol is rarely used for Lone AF in the UK. Different countries have different protocols. Sotolol has some rate control and some rhythm control qualities. It would be really difficult to guess which drug is problematic for you as all of the drugs you quoted have reported affects, many of which you describe.
All other heart drugs tend to more specifically either for rate or rhythm control so come with their own affects. I can’t tolerate any of them.
Best discussed with your cardiologist/EP.
Thanks for reply, very kind of you to take the time. Definitely being added to my ‘to do’ list!
I have taken it for three years. Side effects don’t include hair loss- that is more likely to be caused by the anticoagulant. Side effects are more likely if you are taking s high dose. NHS has a page on Sotalol which lists some of the commoner effects. Sotalol is a beta-blocker and is still used fairly extensively in the US, I believe.
Many thanks for your reply, very interesting
From what I can read, maybe about 300,000 prescription are still dispensed each year for sotalol, dropping from a peak of about one million in 2010. Flecainide, seems to be replacing it. Drugs used to prevent atrial fibrillation sometimes carry a slight "proarrhythmic" risk which means that they can occasionally set off other arrhythmias, sometimes affecting the vital heart's lower chambers. This is the reason why these drugs are always started off by a cardiologist.
Steve
Steve, I was taken off flecainide because it caused pro-arrythmia in me. Sotalol works for me
I was told that I couldn’t have either sotalol or flecainide, only amiodarone. Fortunately, an ablation came my way in time! 😊
Steve
I was prescribed it 18 months ago after having trouble with Bisoprolol and Flecainide. Very pleased I was as its helped me a lot.
Sorry I left out the word Sotalol.
Hi Windlepoons, many thanks for your reply. Nice to hear good outcome
Me too Windlespoons
I've been on sotalol for about 18 months, works very well for me, much better than bisoprolol. I too have read on here that it is an old drug and rarely used but how do people know that, and also why does that matter, if its true. I have a huge amount of trust in my EP and he put me on it, so I'm happy with that.
Hi Ecki thanks for your reply. I’m on a drug called Letrozole for Breast Cancer, it is well documented that the different ‘fillers’ in Letrozole, especially the older versions can cause side effects and a lot of difference in the Brands as well. I think Sotalol is causing me quite a lot of leg pain and thinking of requesting a different Statin, might help.
Hi - I am not on the same heart medications as you but I have taken Letrozole. It is known for causing aches and pains and some hair loss. As I have arthritis my breast consultant kept a close eye on me and I had 2 bone density scans during my five years on medication, it can cause loss of bone density, both were okay. I was changed to Anastrozole halfway through the five years, this was because I was having some vaginal bleeding (I understand that Letrozole is first drug given - Anastrozole is a little more expensive) it seemed to solve the problem. I started in 2014 so finished in 2019 - I had hoped that the aches and pains would ease a little but cannot say I have felt any difference.
Regarding hair loss, my hair has thinned a little since taking cancer drug and anticoagulant (I started both about the same time) but it could be just age as well!
I have an ongoing battle with fillers and additives in tablets, I seem to react to quite a few of them, two of the drugs I am on Nebivolol and Ramipril seem to frequently come from different companies, I do inform my chemist if one is not suitable but still have to check my prescription each month.
Cassie
Hi Cassie, thanks for your reply. Ive mixed up my question. I was interested about a newer version of Sotalol but my joint pain ( left leg at night ) I think is due to Lipitor a statin Ive been on for about a year. Ive been ok on Letrozole but since taking it , approx 4 years ago, everything is going wrong, but difficult to know if this would have happened anyway! Ive paroxysmal Fibrillation, hearing loss,cataracts, and just tested positive to an ANA blood test which I think means Rheumatoid arthritis. Having breast cancer 20 years ago, when I was 40, chemical menopause, chemo, radiotherapy and then again 3 years ago, double mastectomy, diep reconstruction I find taking a tablet to stop a tiny bit of Estrogen in my body has had really bad results. I’m going to try Anastrozole for the last 18 months to try and repair some of the damage. I’m 62 and feel a 100!
Hi HelenClare, I am on Sotalol and Apixaban and they work well for me. I do get aches in my neck and shoulders and I was recently diagnosed with PMR not sure if this is related. I was changed from Flecainide to Sotalol last November, only had paroxysmal afib since last July
Hi Karendeena, similar to me I was diagnosed with Paroxysmal a fib last year and on Apixiban and Sotalol - think it’s the Lipitor that’s causing the leg aches. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Hx
Hi HelenClare, comforting to know we are on the same journey together x
Certainly is, it really helps! Hx
switch from sotalol (80 mg x2) to bisoprolol and flecanide 50 mg x2
Suddenly feeling faint
Bisporol 5mg versus Sotalol 80mg x 2 side effects!
Sotalol: good so far
