Sotalol - Brutal Side Effects

[JPLivin]

Hi, I thought I would share my Sotalol experience as it took me a while to figure out this was the problem "For Me"...

You can see my story in my profile... But to keep it short... I was put on 120mg Sotalol 2x per day from 5mg Bisoprolol 1x per day in October 2023 after going back into AFIB and getting scheduled for Heart Ablation 2 weeks later...

It is now Mid-December 2023 and I have had a brutal time on this new drug... My side effects were the following; Insomnia, Nightmares Nightly, Severe Pain All Over in all Joints... Shortness of breath and dizziness...

The side effects "For Me" seem to get worse the longer I was on this medication...

Today December 16th 2023 my Doctor has me switching back to 5mg Bisoprolol tomorrow once a day...

He advised me to take last dose of Sotalol tonight and then tomorrow morning start 5mg Bisoprolol 1x per day...

Hope this helps and please ask your Doctor before doing anything... But wanted to share my story as i know how much other have helped me so much!

So hoping for great things, me and my Pacemaker at 56... Feeling Confident!

Cheers!

[mav7]

Quite a story. Best to You ! May I ask

- Do you have other heart issues that may have caused the bradycardia ? You mention family history.

- I don't have the knowledge to comment (not at all familiar) other than ask did you have an AV node ablation ?

- Are you currently in NSR (no afib) ?

The side effects you list are the extreme scenario for Sotalol though like all medications many will tolerate with minimal side effects.

Thanks for posting, keep us informed.

[JPLivin in reply to mav7]

Hi Mav7, It seems my heart rate went low (bradycardia) after Cardioversion... Thank Goodness now No Afib... Thank You and Be Well!!!

[mav7 in reply to JPLivin]

Good to hear no afib.

[oscarfox49]

There are so many questions raised by this such as why were you given the relatively high dose of 120 mg of Sotalol (twice a day!) when you were on just 5 mg of Bisopropol? That needs to be explained by your doctor and maybe relates to wider aspects of your condition. Just as a comparison I have been on Sotalol for 30 years now but only on 80 mg a day, which I very early changed to twice a day in 40 mg half tablets as I always found the whole tablet in one go caused my side effects to be more pronounced (though in theory it shouldn't).

As far as I recall, it being so long ago, Sotalol did initially cause me some very unpleasant side effects but these declined after about three months. I remember I was too ill to work for a month or two initially. I am surprised after two months yours are still so severe, but every person is different.

Good luck in finding a medication that can control your condition without unpleasant consequences. My doctors keep telling me that Sotalol is 'not what we use nowadays' and keep suggesting more modern more cardiac specific alternatives, but as it suits me fine and controls the worst of my symptoms, I operate on the 'devil that you know' principle.

Best wishes for a quick improvement before your Xmas is spoiled by this.

[JPLivin in reply to oscarfox49]

Hi Oscar, I appreciate your message... Not sure about why such a high dose and I have learned as well it is an older medication, but my Doctor swears by it...

He did mention that he had planned to either reduce dosage or change back to Bisopropol in March... With the side effects, he said lets do it now and felt comfortable since I had over 2 months on Sotalol... BTW, I am with you on "the devil you know" perspective...

I also asked Pharmacist yesterday about how can I go from high dose of Sotalol to such a low dose of Bisopropol and he said relative dose or the planned lower dosage My Doc had planned anyway... Appreciate you!

Thank You So Much, I wish you all the best and have a Wonderful Christmas!!! Everyday is a gift and I am happy, so not letting anything get in the way! Cheers!

[Ppiman]

The cardiologist I saw said he dislikes sotalol and prefers flecainide, but I was told that I can't be given either!

Steve

[JPLivin in reply to Ppiman]

Hey Steve, Yeah, I think every Doc has their preferences... But man that stuff was tough for me... Just took my last dose last night and began Bisopropol this morning... Could use some sleep, nightmare free...

Be well, Stay Healthy and Have a Merry Christmas!

[Ppiman in reply to JPLivin]

I think all beta blockers can cause vivid dreams, so the bisoprolol might not suit you either/ I was told that sotalol was u much older drug and that flecainide was more targeted and safer.

Steve

[Tenshun]

I had been on Sotalol 2 x 40mg per day for almost two years but over the past two month have increased my dosage to 2 x 80mg as my Afib had become more regular. Unfortunately this increase hasn't fully resolved my problem and my cardiologist l has recommended dronedarone or Pace and ablate as they only other alternatives.

You having mentioned some side effects had me thinking as I do suffer from very bad body pains but l never related those to taking Sotalol, thinking these were likely related to some form arthritis, although l have not yet been diagnosed with this condition. The only other side effects would possibly be bradycardia which l know can be an issue with this drug.

As already asked by mav7 have you have an AV node ablation.

[JPLivin in reply to Tenshun]

Hi Tenshun, Yes, I had the AV node ablation... I also have pacemaker that was implanted a year earlier... after Cardioversion... "What a long strange trip it's been!"

I already had "Fibromyalgia", but was able to manage with some Hydrocodone... (I know everyone hates Opioids, but I take it as prescribed and if not in pain do not take)...

But Wow, after starting these meds and having ablation... I fell off a cliff!!! Pain is unreal, nightmares and lack of sleep...

I initially thought it was from procedure... But it kept getting worse and figured this was the culprit... Again, today is my first day back on bisoprolol... so can't confirm anything and I know it will take about 4-5 days to get out of my system...

So, I will let you know how it goes...

Be well.. Have a Great Holiday and Cheers!

[Dalmatianangel]

I would say your doctor made the right move to switching you back to bisprolol. The side affects you experienced with Sotalol indicate to me that it’s not the drug of choice for you.

Praying you do well again on the Bisprolol.

[JPLivin in reply to Dalmatianangel]

Hi Dalmatianangel,

Thank you SOOO Much!!! I really appreciate the support and Prayers!

God Bless and I will Pray for you as well... Have a Great Holiday!

Cheers!

[Sustainedvtach270]

I have been on Sotalol 80g twice a day for almost 3 years, the only side effects for me are cold extremities after I take my second dose in the afternoon if I don't keep active and low heart rate when I go to bed but my on demand pacemaker kicks in then.

[JPLivin in reply to Sustainedvtach270]

Hi Sustainedvtach270,

Thats awesome!

I guess just not a match for me...

Started new meds today and hoping to feel better.

I wish you all the best!

Thank You!!!

Johnny

[55zuzanka61]

I have been on 120mg of sotalol for over a year with no episodes of a fib but then I got breakthrough episode and now on amiodarone.Sotalol made me fatigued,dizzy and short of breath for about 4-5 months but then I got used to it and lived very active life on it including quite serious hiking in the hills.

Jerryczech

[JPLivin in reply to 55zuzanka61]

Hi 55zuzanka61,

Right On!

Yeah, it seems for me I just could not tolerate this one...

Glad you are feeling well and hoping now that I have switched as of this morning, I too will be back to some activity...

To give you an example, last night went out for dinner with Family and just walking 1.8 miles, felt like I got hit by a Cement Mixer... Followed by "Gut Wrenching" Nightmare...

But talk to "My Jesus" and he said "It's all going to be OK!"... One day at a time... (The only way to live...)

Thank You and Keep Up the Hiking!

Cheers!

[MaryCa]

I don't know if it's a good idea to just drop sotalol. That's what I did pre ablation and my afib episodes increased dramatically. I'd be inclined to wean off over a few weeks. But that's my own personal experience. Horrible drug as was bisopropol for me. Bradycardia, fatigue, brain fog. Ablation last Dec 22, one year of nsr in four days. Fingers crossed it stays that way 🤞

[JPLivin in reply to MaryCa]

Hey MaryCa,

I Pray and Hope you stay that way as well...

Yeah, I was not to sure either... But both My Doc and Pharmacist(Who is very sharp, not average pill counter) both agreed that starting bisoprolol this morning would leave me covered...

I sure hope so and appreciate your help...

God Bless and Stay Well!!!

Johnny

[MaryCa in reply to JPLivin]

Prayers said for you. My EP was such a chilled man. He was looking at me crooked (I'm Irish) when I asked him what was the plan when I went back into afib again. He's got a very high volume.

[dogsneedwalking]

My story starts in 2020 - admission to hospital with high heart rate. Started on bisoprolol which really didn't do much good so after 6 months changed on to Sotalol and I to also had side effects and it didn't really control my irregular heartbeats. I then moved back to Aberdeen with a new Cardiologist and he suggested a Catheter Ablation. I was told to stop taking the Sotalol 3 days before procedure but landed up in the back of an ambulance after stopping this medication for 2 days with a heart rate of around 175bpm so was admitted to Cardiology ward. The procedure was done next day but I went back into Arrhythmia later that evening so had to be moved to another ward then CCU. I was then given iv Amiodarone over 24 hours then started a course of 200mg per day. 10 days later I was discharged but didn't go back onto Sotalol and stayed on the Amiodarone and back on to Bisoprolol. That was in March this year and they then advised a Cardioversion might work and thankfully it has as I went into NSR after only 1 shock. Still on the Amiodarone and had a period of Bradycardia for several weeks after but so far, all is well but I found that the Sotalol made my heart rate too low [my own personal opinion] and had dizzy spells every day, breathlessness, fatigue and still in arrhythmia and worse when out walking/carrying heavy shopping etc. I would say that my experience on the Sotalol wasn't very pleasant but I persevered and I had a very understanding Cardiologist.

[JPLivin in reply to dogsneedwalking]

Hi dogsneedwalking,

So Glad you are doing well... Sounds sort of like me in reverse...

June 2022 - Afib... Cardioversion... Then Went to Er with 32 HR... Pacemaker implanted 2 days later... Good for 1 year almost to the day, then back to Afib and Bouncing Blood Pressure... Put in Sotalol... Ablation in October 23...

But I will say, that my Cardiologist said it was a very good chance after Pacemaker I would go back into AFIB and Need Ablation...

He was Right!

I would strongly Recommend APPLE WATCH ULTRA... Or else I would have fallen asleep when blood pressure hit 32 and the Doc said it probably would have been a wrap...

So Thank God, I send My Prayers and Merry Christmas!

Johnny

[dogsneedwalking in reply to JPLivin]

Hello Johnny, aye our hearts are good at keeping us on our toes. I have just been 'weaned' off of the Bisoprolol so am now just taking lowest dose of Amiodarone. Started having 'few' missed beats again but am putting it down to the fact that I have had a chest infection and not A Fib/ multiple arrhythmias rearing their ugly heads again. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year. All the very best health for 2024.

[bobby1290]

Sorry to hear of your issues. .sorry no experience of Sotalol. Although i do take Bisoprolol 2.5mg x 2 daily. Initially just took 1 each day, until another case of AF, then put on 2xdaily. Certainly took a while to get used to Side affects, and obviously different for everyone. Biggest side issues I have, is feeling cold, Blood pressure bit lower especially if sitting for a while (need to move a bit slower getting up etc).. i have also found if tablets from a different supplier, then i think strength or make up of pill is slightly different. Hope you can get ised to changes quickly...Not easy living with a heart condition ( always think its like a Hidden assassin just waiting ots moment)..all the best.

[Windlepoons]

I take Sotalol 40mg twice a day. I had to stop all the previous treatments as they all made me feel awful. Bisoprolol, metaprolol and flecanide. I'm only on sotalol now as it mostly keeps me stable without sapping my energy. Bisoprolol was the worst. I could barely get upstairs with the breathlessness it caused. I'm not sure how you coped with those 2 drugs together! Good luck with feeling better soon.