side effects of Sotalol

[Elvislover1935]

I had cardiac ablation for AFib and was put on Sotalol to help keep my heart in normal sinus rhythm. I have had unpleasant side effects, one of which was numbness in my feet, legs and tingling in my fingers. I also have nausea almost all the time. I told by the medical community that numbness isn’t a side effect of Sotalol. Has anyone else had this experience? I’m a 75 year old female.

[Newafib]

I also had numbness in my right hand at the start of taking Sotalol with cold hand to the point of turning blue. After take these tablets for 6 months it has stop, but could be related to the warmer weather. Also resting heart rate drop into the high 40’s.

[Elvislover1935 in reply to Newafib]

My heart rate has increased from my normal.

[Karendeena]

I have taken Sotalol now for over 4 years and I do get side effects but not the ones you describe. For me it's sleeping problems and vivid dreams which are disturbing. I also get some GI upset but not sure if this is Sotalol or Apixaban or either to be honest. I have had an ablation bug my EP wants me to stay on Sotalol for now anyway

[Dudtbin]

i get a tingling in my fingers, not very often but i assumed it was sotalol .

[Ppiman]

This might be unrelated to the drug and be something called peripheral neuropathy which can come on as we get older. I have it. Is it a coincidence? Who knows? Many drugs seem to have this in their list of potential side effects, including, I think, beta blockers such as sotalol but the relationship with drug treatments seems hard to prove.

I have it and when I increased my dose of bisoprolol earlier this year, the odd and slight numb feeling in my big toes worsened notably. This sounds a little thing but it is an uncomfortable sensation.

An alternative to sotalol is flecainide. Have you seen offered that?

Steve

[Elvislover1935 in reply to Ppiman]

I haven’t at this point. Doctors don’t seem willing to depart from the “norm”. I’m so frustrated. Thank you for replying.

[Ppiman in reply to Elvislover1935]

I don't myself blame doctors for staying with what they are used to as it's mostly for safety reasons. I think all anti-arrhythmic drugs are inherently less safe than rate-reducing drugs such as beta blockers as they carry a slight "pro-arrhythmic" risk, meaning that they can (rarely) set off sometimes dangerous arrhythmias.

Better the devil you know!

Steve

[a241529]

In the beginning on my PAF journey, I experienced so many of the symptoms described in this tread. Having low blood pressure had me skipping my beta blocker most days. The only medication that was constant was Eliquis. I had itching, tingling and vivid dreams that eventually went away after several months. (My conclussion it was the Eliquis) My doctor wasn't concerned but I paid attention to it for fear it might be an allergic reaction. My doctor took me off of the Metoprolol and put me on Sotolol along with Midodrine (to raise BP) after about a year. Sotolol has allowed me to regain most of my energy. I fell twice at the beginning of taking Sotolol after my foot bumped a step. Both instances, I should have been able to catch myself before hitting the ground. (I'm only 62) I started doing reading on how Sotolol works and it slows/blocks the adrenaline from reaching the heart. I've had to slow down and watch where I step. I haven't fallen again but please take note that it SLOWS your reaction time. Wishing you all the best, Kathy

[Sixtychick]

I’ve been on Sotalol for quite a few years now. I did feel a bit woozy when I first went on it and they lowered the dose. I was also monitored, as it can cause a heart rhythm problem called torsades de pointes or long QT. I’ve not had any problems with them since then. I’m now coming off them very slowly, as I had an ablation in September and the EP wants me to stop them now.

[Sleepyzz]

when I was on Sotalol I experienced the issues you describe with my legs particularly, it felt like I was walking on foam because be leg would feel numb. Made me feel unsafe while walking. I persisted for three months but cardiologist then took me off it and changed to bisoprolol

[Elvislover1935 in reply to Sleepyzz]

Did that take care of your issues? I’m down to 40mg per day so I’m feeling better. Cardiologists do not want to believe Sotalol causes these side effects.