Sotalol

[MumofDragons]

Hi, I’m 68 years old, had a bypass 10 years ago and developed AF after surgery. It stopped with a short course of Amiodorone. I was put on Bisoprolol 2.5 mg. Fast forward 2 years ago had AF which was zapped with cardio version….nothing more until 3 months ago when I started getting ectopic beats which has developed into AF. I have been taking Sotalol for 2 weeks, 40g twice a day. After 3 days AF stopped then started again on and off and I feel really odd. My Kardia shows really long beats which it didn’t before. Has anyone else had problems with Sotalol. Thanks 🙏

[siouxbee19]

I have been on Sotalol for 16 years now, no problems, it has actually helped, along with the Toprol, to regulate my arrhythmias.

I was diagnosed with genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2005, and had ventricular tachycardia, and other benign arrhythmias.

In 2015, I was diagnosed with AFib, but have only had 1 bad episode, and several brief, more mild episodes, none since 2018, so I guess both medications are doing there jobs. I also haven't had any shocks from my defibrillator, just some pacing from the pacemaker when my heart rate falls below 60.

[Windlepoons]

I'm 66 with AF and on Sotalol. I have tried Bisoprolol which was awful, Flecainide which was similar in effects of draining all my energy. Then Sotalol 40mg which has been much better. However two a day wasn't enough so I was advised to try up to another two a day. I decided to go to three a day. One when I wake up, one early afternoon and one at eight pm. That did the trick. I do still go into AF approximately every two months but generally feel much better nowadays. I used to feel dreadful after eating but am much improved. Hope it does the trick for you.

[MumofDragons in reply to Windlepoons]

Thanks. It’s strange how medications affect people differently. I was fine on Bisoprolol for over 10 years. I didn’t take Sotalol last night and feel so much better now. Have contacted my cardiac arrhythmia nurse as I want to go back on Bisoprolol and then try Amiodorone again….it worked well last time. Fingers crossed, fed up!

[vovvarna22 in reply to MumofDragons]

Hi, I'm not sure this is going to be useful ... In in my late 70s and have had AF for about 6 yrs and have been on sotalol 40mgx2, since then. But I feel so drained every day. I was put on extra sotalol at one stage but could barely function! Awful. Have not been offered anythin g else.

[MumofDragons in reply to vovvarna22]

Oh poor you! I would ask for something else.

[Windlepoons]

Don't blame you being fed up. I sympathise with you. It is strange how we all react to the medication. Hope you get something that suits you and works. 😊

[KipperJohn]

In the UK , NICE guidelines for beta blockers as primary care for AF exclude sotalol - that’s been the case since 2014 I think - although it’s sometimes still prescribed. It is still used in secondary care where considered appropriate .

[MumofDragons in reply to KipperJohn]

That’s interesting! I’ve now stopped Sotalol and am back on Bisoprolol until I have a blood test, then if that’s ok I start Amiodorone 😊

[vovvarna22 in reply to KipperJohn]

True. NICE is not happy with Sotalol. When I read that I told my cardio about this. He didn't know anything about it :-((

[Janith]

Be careful with your qt interval if on sotalol … the interval between beats. Each time you see your cardiologist, have them check your qt interval. It’s important.

[MumofDragons in reply to Janith]

Thanks Janith. I was concerned about the qt interval. I have stopped taking Sotalol now…..starting Amiodorone soon

[Janith]

I take sotalol… l like it very much. I have zero issues … my qt interval is always normal. That isn’t always the case l suppose?

[MumofDragons in reply to Janith]

That’s great, I was so hopeful it would work for me too but I felt really bad on it. Everyone seems to be different

[Janith]

How did it make you feel? I’m curious …

[MumofDragons in reply to Janith]

I was ok for the first week, no AF after 3 days but after 7 days I had palpitations most of the time heart rate up and down and felt really weird, jumpy, uneasy…..I just hated it

[bmand]

I have been on Sotalol 80mg twice per day. Initially had to be in hospital 3days. I also take Diltiazem180mg once per day. It seem that all these meds last a year or so. I also have had 4ablations. There two different sotalol one being sotalol af. Not sure if available in your area. I m in the us. Recently went into a flutter doc told me to take another Diltiazem that worked but dropped my bp to low. Right now I’m in NSR if I go out of NSR I’m going to take 30mg Diltiazem every 6hours until a breakthrough. Been in hospital since Tuesday had lumbar surgery leave today