We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Sotalol?

By A. Delgado
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,704
Share

Sotalol, or sotalol hydrochloride, is a medication used to treat abnormal or rapid heartbeats by helping the heart pump more efficiently and stabilizing its rhythm. It is an antiarrhythmic drug that helps regulate a patient's heart rate, although it doesn't cure the condition. Sotalol tablets are generally taken once or twice a day. Despite its effectiveness, the use of solatol is associated with serious and possibly life-threatening risks ranging from mild reactions, such as indigestion, to serious ones, such as trouble breathing.

Doctors generally prescribe either Betapace solatol tablets or Betapace AF solatol tablets to patients with severe heartbeat irregularities. Since these medications treat different kinds of arrhythmia, they can't be used together.

The tablets are usually taken up to two times a day. Doctors generally recommend taking them a couple of hours after a meal or no later than one hour before a meal. Patients who use antacids should wait two hours before or after taking solatol. Some doctors also prescribe a low-salt diet for patients while taking this medication.

Dosages vary from patient to patient, but it's important that all patients continue taking it even if they feel better. Stopping the use of solatol suddenly can lead to heart attacks or severe chest pain. Doctors can help patients gradually reduce the amount of solatol they're taking to prevent these risks.

Patients must spend a few days being monitored in a hospital after beginning treatment, since sotalol can lead to serious cardiac conditions including heart failure. Patients should also let their doctors know if they're allergic to solatol, if they're currently taking other medications and if they have conditions such as liver disease. Solatol can also affect blood sugar levels and make it difficult to detect low blood sugar in patients with diabetes. Pregnant women or those who are nursing should discuss the risks of taking solatol with their doctor before deciding on treatment.

Mild side effects associated with the use of solatol include upset stomach, heartburn, loss of appetite and arm or leg pain. Patients who experience severe reactions, such as dizziness, swelling in the face or extremities, chest tightness or confusion, should call their doctor right away. Rare, but serious, side effects include back pain, fever, black stool, double vision and bruising. Signs of an overdose include seizures, anxiety, shakiness, cold skin and slurred speech.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-sotalol.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.