Sotalol

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine prevents fast heartbeats called arrhythmias.

How does it work?

• Sotalol blocks chemicals, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), and prevents them from increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen use. Sotalol slows the body down a bit.

How is it best taken?

• Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
• Do not take antacids or calcium supplements less than 2 hours before or 6 hours after this medicine.
• Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider. This could be dangerous.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider, especially with amiodarone, diltiazem, and verapamil.
• Wear disease medical alert identification for heart disease.
• It is dangerous to run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have a weakened heart. Can worsen symptoms. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you are diabetic and have low blood sugars. Talk with healthcare provider. This medicine hides signs of low blood sugar except sweating.
• Use caution if you have lung disease. This includes asthma, COPD, or if you are using an inhaler like albuterol or ipratropium. This medicine can cause wheezing or spasm in the lung.
• Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy and/or lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without this side effect.
• Slow heart rate (pulse) and/or low blood pressure (lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, and feeling tired).

What should I monitor?

• Watch for swelling of legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain, exercise tolerance. If any of these worsen, talk with healthcare provider.
• Report a 3-5 pound weight gain if you have heart failure.
• Check blood pressure regularly.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Too tired or sleepy.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased ability to walk.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature. Protect from moisture.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

Copyright © 1978-2000 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved