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"What is it used for? Sotalol is used to treat a variety of different types of fast, abnormal heart rhythms (these are known as tachyarrhythmias), such as those listed below.   To treat life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias (a fast heart rhythm that originates in one of the ventricles of the heart). To treat the symptoms of a non-sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (this is a fast heart rhythm that last for less than 30 seconds). To prevent an abnormal heart rhythm after heart surgery, where the heart sporadically beats very rapidly, as a result of problems with the electrical message pathways in the top part of the heart (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia). To prevent an irregular heartbeat that only occurs occasionally and is caused by very rapid contraction of the top two chambers of the heart (paroxysmal atrial tachycardia or fibrillation). To prevent a rapid heartbeat caused by an additional electrical signal near the AV node (AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia). To help maintain the normal rhythm of the heart following cardioversion treatment for atrial fibrillation or flutter.   How does it work? Sotacor tablets contain the active ingredient sotalol, which is a type of medicine called a beta-blocker and an antiarrhythmic. (Sotalol tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) The heart&amp;#039;s pumping action is controlled by electrical signals that pass through the heart muscle. The electrical signals cause the two pairs of heart chambers (left and right atria and ventricles) to contract in a regular manner that produces the heartbeat. If the electrical activity in the heart is disturbed for any reason, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) of various types can result. These can seriously undermine the pumping action of the heart and result in inefficient blood circulation around the body.  Sotalol works by slowing the electrical impulses in the heart muscle. This helps to regulate and restore disturbances in the heart rhythm.  Sotalol also blocks beta receptors that are found in the heart. This causes the heart to beat more slowly and with less force, this also allows the electrical signals in the heart to fire more regularly.  How do I take it?   Sotacor tablets can be taken either with or without food. The amount taken and how often varies from person to person, and according to the type of arrhythmia you have. It is important to follow the instructions given by your doctor and printed on the dispensing label.  It is important that you don&amp;#039;t suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.  Warning!  Before treatment with this medicine is started your doctor will want you to have a blood test to check your kidney function, so that the correct dose of the medicine can be prescribed. The levels of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium or magnesium in your blood will also be checked and your doctor will correct any problems before starting treatment. During treatment your doctor may want you to have regular blood tests to check your blood sugar.  Most medicines that control abnormal heart rhythms can also provoke them in some circumstances. For this reason, if you feel like your heart condition has got worse or your heartbeat changes, gets faster or slower, or starts to pound, or you experience chest pain, shortness of breath or feeling faint, it is important to consult your doctor straight away.  Use with caution in   Elderly people. People with an enlarged heart. Heart failure. Decreased kidney function.   Diabetes.   People with a history of sudden drops in blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia). Abnormal muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis).  People with severe or chronic (long-term) diarrhoea. (You should tell your doctor if you experience severe or prolonged diarrhoea while taking this medicine, as they may want to check the level of electrolytes in your blood.). Overactive thyroid gland (this medicine may mask the symptoms of a thyroid problem or thyrotoxicosis). Psoriasis.  People with history of serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).  Not to be used in   People whose irregular heartbeat is related to a problem with the sinus node in their heart (sinus node dysfunction, sometimes called sick sinus syndrome).  People with severe electrical conduction disturbances within the heart (heart block), unless a pacemaker is fitted. People with an abnormal heart rhythm seen on a heart monitoring trace (ECG) as a &amp;#039;prolonged QT interval&amp;#039;. People with a type of irregular heart beat called Torsades de Pointes. People with a very slow heart rate (severe bradycardia). Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood (cardiogenic shock). People taking medicines that can cause a &amp;#039;prolonged QT interval&amp;#039; (your doctor will know, but see end of this factsheet for some examples).  People with a low level of potassium or magnesium in their blood (hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia). Uncontrolled heart failure.  People with low blood pressure (hypotension), unless this is a result of the irregular heartbeat.  Untreated tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma). History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). History of asthma. Blockage of arteries in the extremities (peripheral arterial occlusion). Conditions involving poor blood circulation in the arteries of the extremities, eg hands and feet (peripheral arterial disorders such as Raynaud&amp;#039;s syndrome or intermittent claudication). Increased acid levels in the blood (metabolic acidosis). Kidney failure. Children. Rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption (Sotacor tablets contain lactose).   This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.  This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Beta-blockers reduce blood flow to the placenta, which could increase the chance of premature delivery or death of the foetus. They may also slow the baby&amp;#039;s heart beat, cause its blood sugar to drop, or restrict its growth in the womb. However, beta-blockers are sometimes used in the third trimester. If your doctor feels that treatment with this medicine is essential, they will need to monitor the baby very carefully for two to three days following delivery. If you think you could be pregnant while taking this medicine, or want to try for a baby, it is important to seek medical advice from your doctor. It is important that you don&amp;#039;t stop taking this medicine suddenly. This medicine may pass into breast milk in small amounts. As this could potentially cause the baby&amp;#039;s heart rate to slow down or its blood sugar to fall, it is recommended that this medicine is not used by breastfeeding mothers. If your doctor feels treatment with this medicine is essential, they may recommend you bottle feed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.  Label warnings  Do not stop taking this medication except on your doctor&amp;#039;s advice.  Side effects Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.  Slower than normal heart beat (bradycardia).  Irregular heartbeats (including ventricular arrhythmias) - see warning section above. Low blood pressure (hypotension). Awareness of your heartbeat (palpitations). Inability of the heart to pump blood efficiently (heart failure). Shortness of breath.  Dizziness or lightheadedness. Fainting. Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema).  Disturbances of the gut such as indigestion, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or flatulence. Disturbed sleep. Feeling weak or tired. Headache. Fever. Muscle cramps.  Anxiety.  Depression.  Mood changes.  Visual disturbances.  Hearing problems. Changes in taste.  Sensation of pins and needles in the hands and feet.  Cold extremities, eg hands and feet. Rash. Dry eyes. Sexual problems.   The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine&amp;#039;s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist. How can this medicine affect other medicines? It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to make sure that the combination is safe.  There may be an increased risk of the heart beating too slowly if the following medicines are used in combination with sotalol:   other anti-arrhythmic medicines such as amiodarone  beta-blockers such as atenolol, propranolol  calcium channel blockers such as verapamil and diltiazem (verapamil must not be given as an injection into a vein (intravenously) to people being treated with sotalol) digoxin.   There may be an increased chance of an abnormal heart rhythm, seen as a &amp;#039;prolonged QT interval&amp;#039; on an ECG, if this medicine is taken in combination with other medicines that can have this side effect, such as those listed below. These medicines are not normally recommended for use in combination with sotalol:   other medicines to treat abnormal heart rhythms (anti-arrhythmics), eg amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, disopyramide   certain antidepressants, eg maprotiline, amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine  the antihistamines terfenadine or mizolastine certain antimalarials, eg halofantrine, chloroquine, quinine, Riamet, mefloquine  certain antimicrobials, eg erythromycin clarithromycin, moxifloxacin, voriconazole or pentamidine  certain antipsychotics, eg amisulpride, thioridazine, chlorpromazine, sertindole, haloperidol, pimozide, zuclopenthixol, sulpiride arsenic trioxide  atomoxetine cisapride dronedarone droperidol  ivabradine ranolazine saquinavir tolterodine.  The medicines listed below can sometimes cause the amount of potassium in the blood to drop too low. If this happens in someone taking sotalol it could increase the risk of irregular heartbeats. Your doctor will want to check your potassium levels regularly if you are taking one of these medicines in combination with sotalol:    beta-2-agonists for asthma, eg salbutamol corticosteroids by mouth or injection, such as prednisolone  diuretics such as furosemide, bendroflumethiazide, acetazolamide  intravenous amphotericin stimulant laxatives, eg senna tetracosactide theophylline.  Sotalol is likely to have an additive effect with other medicines that decrease blood pressure, particularly medicines that are used to treat high blood pressure (antihypertensives). This may cause dizziness, which can usually be relieved by lying down until the symptoms pass. If you feel dizzy while taking this medicine in combination with other medicines that can lower blood pressure you should let your doctor know, as your doses may need adjusting. Other medicines that decrease blood pressure include the following:   ACE inhibitors, eg enalapril aldesleukin alpha-blockers such as prazosin  alprostadil angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as losartan antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine benzodiazepines, eg temazepam, diazepam baclofen. other beta-blockers such as propranolol  calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, nifedipine. clonidine (If sotalol is taken in combination with clonidine there is also a risk of a rebound increase in blood pressure if the clonidine is suddenly stopped. If you are taking both these medicines it is important to keep taking both of them unless otherwise directed by your doctor. When stopping treatment, the sotalol should be stopped several days before slowly stopping the clonidine.) diazoxide diuretics, eg furosemide, bendroflumethiazide dopamine agonists, eg bromocriptine, apomorphine hydralazine levodopa MAOI antidepressants, eg phenelzine methyldopa minoxidil moxonidine moxisylyte nicorandil nitrates, eg glyceryl trinitrate  tizanidine.  This medicine may reduce the blood sugar lowering effect of some medicines used to treat diabetes. People with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar while taking this medicine, as sotalol can also mask some of the signs of low blood sugar, such as increased heart rate and tremor.  Other medicines containing the same active ingredient    Beta-cardone     Sotalol tablets are also available generically (ie without a brand name).  Last updated 28.06.2011 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/heart-and-blood/a7557/sotacor-sotalol/>