Cordarone or Sotalol

[Falkovec]

Hello,

I am a new member of the forum.I want to ask about the following:-

After 3 months of Amiodoran use, I am about to switch to Sotalol.

Does anyone here have experience with this?

All answers are valuable to me.

[BobD Volunteer]

Amiodarone is highly toxic and not usually for long term use so good that you are now to come off it. Sotalol is part beta blocker part antiarrhythmic and becoming more popular of late but I have no personal experience of it.

[Falkovec in reply to BobD]

Thanks.

[Rambler398]

Hello Falkovec, welcome to the forum.

I have never taken Amiodarone. I did take Sotalol for several years a long time ago without any problems. Having said that it can, very rarely, interfere in an unwanted way with electrical pathways in the heart and periodic ECG tracings are recommended.

If you enter Sotalol in the search box at the top of the page you will find many previous discussions. Also look in the British (or Bulgarian) National Formulary (BNF) for more information.

Best wishes

[Falkovec in reply to Rambler398]

Thanks. I read somewhere that sotalol relieves the pulse. That's what I'm afraid of.

[Rambler398 in reply to Falkovec]

I’m not sure what you mean when you say that Sotalol can “relieve the pulse”.

edit: perhaps consider using Google Translate.

[Falkovec in reply to Rambler398]

Reduce heart rate to less than 60 beats per minute.

[Rambler398 in reply to Falkovec]

A heart rate below 60 isn’t on its own a problem, unless there are associated symptoms. What is your heart rate at present before starting Sotalol?

More information about your particular medical history would help us answer your questions.

[Falkovec in reply to Rambler398]

I have not switched to sotalol yet. I am taking cordarone, but due to its toxic effect, I want to stop it and start with sotalol.

At rest, my heart rate sometimes drops to 50-48 beats per minute. This happens in the evening and at night.

[Visigoth in reply to Falkovec]

I wouldn’t be too concerned about that myself. My heart rate regularly drops to 44 in the evening and at night - in fact 50 is high for me! My EP was not at all worried about it and explained that amiodarone (which I am on) lowers the heart rate as well as being anti-arrhythmic. I doubt you will find that Sotalol lowers your rate more than amiodarone already has, although I have no experience of it.

[Cassag in reply to Rambler398]

I also have a low pulse in sinus rhythm. When I tried sotolol I was three days in hospital under observation which is recommended due posssible effects . For me it was because i can flip into tachycardia from bradycardia. Now I am taking a very small amount 20 mg as PIP but it does drop my pulse into the low 40 s for a few hours,and my blood pressure to drop. Then I get a sinus pause before flipping back to my normal 55. I am reactive to all the medications so this was lasts resort. However after a flutter ablation I am mainly in sinus rhythm.

As with all the meds there is no one size fits all so it is a case of try it and see, but be aware of possible side effects. I am just sharing my experience which I hope can be helpful.

[mav7]

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Welcome !

In addition to the replies here, you may want to review previous threads keeping in mind we are all different.

[30912]

The only issue I had with Sotolol was slightly cold hands and feet. No other problems.

[ozziebob]

I actually liked the use of your phrase "relieved the pulse". No probs for me.🤔 Your English seems almost perfect, and way better than my Bulgarian!😕

[a241529]

I was switched to Sotolol from Metroprolol and it made a world of difference to me. I have naturally low BP so I couldn't take the Metroprolol when my systolic BP was below 100, Eventually they added Midodrine to increase my BP numbers. Metroprolol left be drained and I had no energy and it seemed to lower my BP too much (my opinion). Another opinion of mine was that when my BP dropped, it felt like it was trigger for my AF. My doctor tried to explain to me that was all in my head. During my annual Echo in the doctor's office, my heart rate was above 150 (stressful day with many other activities and not enough sleep the previous night). The tech went to consult with the doctor who never came in to see me. Tech came back with a sticky note with Digoxin written on it. After speaking with my pharmacist I decided not to take it. On my follow-up, I expected him to push the Digoxin but he suggested Sotolol which my mom took with no problems and she was very active. Within 2 days after taking it, I felt like a load of bricks had been lifted from me. For me, I wouldn't hesitate in taking Sotolol because it has given my life back to me. The only negative for me (again my opinion), is that I feel Sotolol slows some of my responses. For instance while decorating the church altar, I accidentally kicked a step not realizing it was there and I fell. I fell the next day in a similar manner. In both instances I was mad at myself for not being able to catch myself before falling since I'm only 62. After doing some reading regarding Sotolol, it is my understanding that it blocks the adrenaline from reaching the heart. I made the decision to slow my actions down and look at where I am walking as well as using something steady to put on my panties. I haven't fallen since and I wouldn't let those episodes influence my decision to do it all again. Keep in mind that we are all different with different problems. All my doctor will tell me is that I have AF and my heart is healthy. I hope this helps you and good luck.

[Durdad]

Have been on Sotalol for 3 weeks. Lowered dose after one week due to consistent p<50. Now seeing pulse 50-60 on a regular basis and in NSR, so I am happy with it. Keeping an general eye on QTc with Kardia, but my doc said the issue would show up on initial titration of the dose if was going to.

[Sustainedvtach270]

I have been on sotalol for 3 years, it used to make me cold specially my extremities. Since I am taking the blood thinner xeralto, I am not so cold after taking my second 80g daily dose.

[Bolander]

I was originally prescribed Amiodarone after a cardioversion, but due to side effects was changed to Sotalol. Have been on this for several years now and it has kept me in normal hearts rhythm with resting heart rate between 55 and 60. As with all mediation some patients will experience side effects but the only way to be sure is to try it.

[kocoach]

Hello Falkovec; I've been on amiodarone for close to 6 years now and with one exception of a scare about 8 months ago which turned out to be unfounded have had no problems with it and anyways my EP refuses to take me off it. My heart rate is 40-50 most of the time, same as yours is but am told not to worry about it. Just letting you know that if you stay on amiodarone it is not a "death sentence". Wishing you the best.

[Sixtychick]

I’ve been on Sotalol for many years now and I’ve not had any problems. They do, though, react with quite a lot of medications and I keep a list of drug reactions on my phone which I got from the NICE website. I always check anything new I’ve been prescribed or before I buy over the counter medicines, with the list.The Doctors don’t always check if the medicines they prescribe, mix with the Sotalol. I had an ablation in September and am in the process of coming off Sotalol now. I’m down to 40mg from 80mg. Just waiting till after my holidays till I reduce it further, in case of any problems.I’m a bit nervous about stopping it all together though. I’m sure you’ll be fine.

[Karendeena]

I have been on Sotalol for 4 years with no problems that I can attribute to the drug.It has still allowed breakthrough episodes though so I recently had an ablation knowing that the disease will progress and the beast will have its way! I am hoping that my EP will take me off it at some point although he swears that Sotalol iis one of the best drugs on the market for AF

[Falkovec]

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who commented on the issue and shared their personal experience with taking sotalol.

I asked the question like that, because it is said that the most common side effect of sotalol is a low heart rate.

The conclusion of everything that was written here is that, in the end, everything is individual and depends on the human body.