Sotalol Experiences

Posted by larry @larryst, Aug 31 6:37am

I am on Amiodarone (off now in preparation for the switch) and Mexilitine. I am due to switch to Sotalol and am concerned about side effects. I do not tolerate beta blockers on the current regimen as my blood pressure crashes bad. Even a low dose of beta blocker crashes my bp. Has anyone had any experience switching to Sotalol ? How did it go ?

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brent5353 | @brent5353 | Sep 1 9:07pm

I tried Sotalol this year for a couple of weeks in June of this year. It did good with my heart rhythym and the beta blocker kept my rate in line and BP was good. My only problem was nausea. I had to stop it as i couldnt deal with it. I subsequently had another ablation in July. It is a Beta Blocker and Rythym control all in one is my understanding. That is about all i can say about it. I have taken Beta Blocker for about 20 years.

larry | @larryst | Oct 3 6:45am

I wanted to give an update on the switch to Sotalol. It has not been going well. I noticed in the hospital a slight intolerance to exercise I blamed on being inactive during my stay When I got home I began experiencing BP crashes. One day after crashing to 76/53 went to the ED. 16 hours later no answers, A few days later my Sotalol was reduced to 80mg BID. Autonomic Reflex screen ordered at ED. Yesterday, I had that test and I failed tilt test at 5 minutes. Would this be expected on Sotalol and with heart failure (40 LVEF) ?

chattykathy50 | @chattykathy50 | Oct 11 9:58am

1 1/2 years ago had the watchmen placed due to afib/flutter. In the past year, I had my first ablation, then a cardioversion, and I’m now scheduled for a second ablation after having a pacemaker implant in April to control heart rate drop while on sotalol… With all of that, I have an appointment with Mayo Clinic heart rhythm physician for a second opinion. Sotalol side effects for me are extreme fatigue and weakness. I am or was an active 76-year-old woman with an RV and a Siamese cat that love to go camping… Now I sit on the edge of my bed to brush my teeth and struggle to exercise, which is part of my cardiac recovery program… I’ve never felt so old!