AFib question

[KPCOMO]

help - mother diagnosed with AF & cardiologist prescribed Satolol, should rx have been Satolol AF?

[Paulbounce]

Hi KP.

I assume you mean your Mother is on Sotalol.

Sotalol belongs to a group of medicines called beta blockers. It's used to treat atrial fibrillation and other conditions that cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). This medicine is only available on prescription.

I'm on it and it's a pretty standard treatment for afib. It's likely your Cardio has started your Mother on 50 mg twice a day to let her body adjust. This may well be increased to a higher dose in a month or so.

I shouldn't worry too much - I'm sure your Cardio has his eye on the ball and knows what (s)he is doing.

Paul

[BobD Volunteer]

Sotalol is a common treatment for AF and is a calcium channel blocker to slow the heart. I hope he also prescribed an anticoagulant to help prevent stroke?

[gsd01 in reply to BobD]

I may be wrong but I'm fairly certain Sotalol is classified as a non cardio selective Beta blocker.

NHS info seems to confirm

nhs.uk/medicines/sotalol/

n

[mav7]

Best to ask the doctor who prescribed if she should receive Sotalol or Sotalol AF. Lot of info on the 'net about the difference if you want to search. However, it can be confusing, so check with the doctor.

Most important as stated by BobD to also take an anticoagulant.

[gsd01]

Link to Sotalol, Sotalol AF differences. drugs.com/medical-answers/d...

[localad]

Sotalol and Sotalol AF are the same drug. Just a different instruction sheet in the box.

[Down10FTN]

I was given sotalol after a failed cardioversion. Sotalol is a class III antiarrythmic potassium channel blocker. My potassium was running amuck and needed tampering. It is also used for VT.READ THIS: after my ablation my nurse gave me my meds in a white cup. I peeked.

He had given me sotalol af. I told him this was wrong, color and size different. He said "could be generic"

I brought my drugs in my overnight bag. I showed him the side by side comparison and took my proper sotalol.

12 hours and a new nurse later, I was presented with the same incorrect drug.

No nurse nor pharmacist made a note about this.

The sotalol af given to a patient with Ventricular Tachycardia can cause Torsades de Pointes, which can kill the patient.

They are not the same drug.

Look at your drugs in the hospital. The average error rate is 1 drug per 1 patient per hospital stay.

Sotalol vs Sotalol AF