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DiscussionAfib/tachycardia and colonoscopy
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Apr 28 2:43pm | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "The terminal half-life of sotolol is about 20 hours. So, for the 12 hours you need..."
Hi, I'm new here, first post. I've had a long history of atrial arrhythmias, more recently paroxysmal A-Fib, for which I take metoprolol ( 150mg/day and a low dose of diltiazem to keep the heart rate under control. I also take losartan and chlorthalidone for high blood pressure. I have had several colonoscopies in the last few years and more to come as I am in the surveillance period for stage II colon cancer ( had right side colectomy in 2022).
I've always been instructed by the outpatient center nurses where my colonoscopies are done to take my blood pressure and rate control drugs ( all except the diuretic) with a sip of water before I leave home for the procedure- they've always been in the AM.
It may well be that you will get the same instructions to take your sotolol and metoprolol as usual in the morning the day of your colonoscopy, so you are covered. The surgery center/ doctor's office should have a list of your medications, and should specifically instruct you about taking them the day of your colonoscopy. If for some reason they don't you should contact them for instructions.
I also take Eliquis ( as I imagine you do with the A-Fib) and they should provide you with instructions about that as well. Interestingly enough, they have instructed me only to withhold the morning dose of Eliquis the day of the colonoscopy, but take it later after the colonoscopy. Your instructions may vary, but you need to ask if they don't tell you.
Best of luck with everything. I'm 76, so up there in years as well.
Thank you so much Gloaming! Your reply is reassuring.