Sotalol is a prescription medication primarily used to treat certain types of abnormal heart rhythms. It helps stabilize heart rhythm and prevent episodes of fast or irregular heartbeats, reducing the risk of complications.
What is Sotalol?
Sotalol, marketed under brand names such as Betapace, is both a beta-blocker and a class III antiarrhythmic agent. It helps manage arrhythmias by slowing the heart rate and restoring a regular rhythm.
What are the Uses of Sotalol Tablet?
Conditions Sotalol is Used to Treat
Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia: Controls dangerously fast heartbeats originating from the ventricles.
Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter: It is also prescribed for patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter who experience severe symptoms such as weakness and shortness of breath. Sotalol helps by reducing heart rate and promoting more regular heartbeats.
Secondary Benefits of Sotalol
While primarily used for arrhythmias, it may also be used under specialist guidance for rhythm control in pediatric patients or for rhythm maintenance in patients with structurally abnormal hearts.
Preventing recurrence of arrhythmias in high-risk patients.
It may be used in selected pediatric patients under specialist care.
How Does Sotalol Work?
Sotalol works by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors (like other beta-blockers) and by extending the action potential duration in cardiac tissues. This dual action slows the heart rate, reduces its workload, and helps maintain normal rhythm by preventing erratic electrical activity in the heart.
Sotalol Tabet Dosage
Typical Dosage: Taken orally 1-3 times a day, depending on individual needs.
Administration Tips: Take at the same time daily, with or without food, and never adjust the dose without your doctor's advice.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses at once to make up for the missed dose.
What Happens If an Overdose?
An overdose of Sotalol can lead to dangerous heart issues such as a very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, or even seizures. Seek emergency medical help immediately if you suspect an overdose.
Symptoms of overdose include:
Slow or irregular heartbeat
Fainting or dizziness
Breathing difficulty
Seizures
Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect an overdose.
Get a second opinion from trusted experts and makeconfident, informed decisions.
Always consult your doctor if side effects persist or worsen.
Precautions and Warnings
Avoid Sotalol if you have severe asthma, bradycardia, certain heart blockages, or kidney failure. Discuss your full medical history with your doctor, especially if you have hormone disorders, electrolyte imbalances, or a history of heart failure.
Avoid If: You have asthma, certain heart conditions (e.g., AV block, bradycardia), or severe kidney disease.
Caution Required If: You have diabetes, electrolyte imbalances, or a history of low blood pressure.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Use only if clearly needed and prescribed. Discuss risks with your doctor.
Operating Machinery: May cause drowsiness or dizziness; avoid driving until you know its effects.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Using Sotalol?
Sotalol is mainly prescribed for adults but can be used in children under strict medical supervision, particularly in hospital settings.
Alcohol or Food Interactions
Alcohol can increase side effects like dizziness and fainting. It's advisable to limit alcohol consumption. Also, maintain a balanced intake of potassium and magnesium through food to avoid electrolyte imbalances.
Alcohol can increase side effects like dizziness and fainting.
Maintain consistent dietary potassium and magnesium intake, as imbalances may increase the risk of arrhythmias.
Possible Interactions with Other Medications (Drug Interactions)
Avoid combining with other beta-blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs.
Be cautious with drugs that prolong the QT interval (e.g., certain antibiotics or antidepressants).
Inform your doctor about all prescription, OTC, and herbal medications you are taking.
How Should Sotalol Be Stored?
Store Sotalol tablets at room temperature (20°C to 25°C), away from moisture, direct sunlight, and heat. Do not store in a bathroom or near a sink.
Recommended Temperature: Store at room temperature, ideally between 20°C to 25°C.
Storage Tips: Keep away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight.
Safety Tip: Store in a childproof container and keep out of children's reach.
What Happens If Sotalol Is Not Stored Properly?
Exposure to heat, moisture, or sunlight can degrade the medicine, reducing its effectiveness or causing it to become unsafe to use.
Sotalol vs Metoprolol
Sotalol:
Used for treating and preventing abnormal heart rhythms.
Acts as both a beta-blocker and antiarrhythmic agent.
Metoprolol:
Belongs to the beta-blocker class.
Used primarily for treating high blood pressure, chest pain (angina), and fast heart rates (tachycardia).
The most common side effects of sotalol are dizziness or sickness, fatigue, diarrhea, or headache – all of which are usually mild and temporary. If you're taking a very high dose, you're more likely to experience side effects. Because your first dose may cause dizziness, take it before going to bed.
Sotalol is a unique beta-blocker with antiarrhythmic effects in classes II and III. As a nonselective beta-blocker, it lacks intrinsic sympathomimetic and membrane-stabilizing activity. Like amiodarone, it prolongs the action potential duration (APD) and increases refractoriness.
Sotalol belongs to the class of antiarrhythmic medications used to treat irregular heartbeats.
Sotalol is considered safe for use in patients with a damaged heart, such as those who have had a heart attack.
Sotalol is a safe and effective agent for controlling heart rates in patients with atrial fibrillation and is considered better than metoprolol for rate control during daily activities.
Sotalol may cause increased serum levels in patients with impaired kidney function due to its pharmacokinetic properties.
Sotalol's bioavailability is reduced when taken with food or milk. Therefore, it should be taken on an empty stomach, ideally 1–2 hours before or after meals or milk-containing products.
Side effects of sotalol 80 mg may include difficulty breathing, dizziness, fatigue, slow heart rate, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, weakness, and lightheadedness.
If the 80 mg dose level, given twice daily or once daily depending on creatinine clearance (CrCl), does not reduce the frequency of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter relapses and is tolerated without excessive QT interval prolongation, it may be adjusted.
Sotalol usually begins to work within 1 to 3 hours after taking a dose. However, its full effect on controlling abnormal heart rhythms may take a few days, especially when adjusting the dose.
Disclaimer: The information provided is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge. However, it should not be considered a substitute for medical advice or consultation. We do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. The absence of specific warnings does not mean a medicine is safe for all users. We are not responsible for any outcomes based on this information and strongly recommend consulting a doctor for any medical concerns or questions.
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