Sotalol for Atrial Fibrillation User Reviews

• Jimmy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 22, 2013

Sotalol Hydrochloride AF (sotalol) "I have had intermittent Atrial Fibrillation on and off for 30 years. Tried cardiac ablation in 2007, but didn't seem to help. I now take 120mg twice a day and it keeps it in check without side effects. Does not slow me down and I work out frequently and have great fitness. Tried lowering it to 60 or 80mg but then the AF came back. First tried Atenolol but did not like the side effects, it slowed me down and affected sex life. Sotalol slows my heart rate down to 50 beats resting, but does not slow me down in general. Have not had an AF episode in 18 months since going to 120mgs twice per day."

• Fyreman
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2014

"Sotalol 80mg x2 stopped my atrial fibrillation (AF), but left my heart rate in the 40's and I had less stamina than when I was in AF. My EP decided on adding a pacemaker to keep my pulse at 60 or higher and I feel like I am 20 years younger. I am very active and my AF has not returned. The pacemaker records everything that happens to my heart and is read remotely by the EP every couple of months or so. There has been no incidents of AF, and very few PAC's or PVC's. Sotalol with a pacemaker has been a wonderful solution to my AF, and I would suggest people who are struggling with sotalol ask their doctor about a pacemaker to increase their pulse rate."

• Pat...
• January 19, 2013

Sotalol Hydrochloride AF (sotalol) "About 2 years ago when I was admitted to the hospital with a severe attack of atrial fibrillation, the Dr. put me on 80mg twice a day and this worked well until I had a severe attack and my dosage was increased to 120mg at night and 80 mg in the morning. This has worked excellent since them. I also have multiple health problems and take multiple medications and there has been no bad side effects from the sotalol."

• Lady...
• January 25, 2016

"I was diagnosed with AF 16 years ago. Back then, Betapace aka Sotalol was newly approved for oral use in the US although it had been around in Europe. I have been on this medicine since then. My dosage have gone from as low as 40 mg 2x a day to as high as 120mg 2x a day throughout the years. all these years I had a few AF every now and then but as the dose was adjusted it was well controlled until last year. Most cardiologist would say I am one of the few patients they know who has been on Sotalol this long. I was told since the beginning that I have the worst case of AF not induced by any activity and will not benefit from ablation because of numerous foci. I am very happy with Sotalol but might need other alternative soon..."

• bjdal...
• December 16, 2011

Sotalol Hydrochloride AF (sotalol) "I had a pacemaker installed in December 2006 for a very slow heart rate but had constant Atrial fibrillation so the doctor started me on Sotalol in 2007. I did not notice any side effects and have not had an atrial fibrillation attack since then. I no longer worry about my heart and it beats nice and steady. For me it was a miracle! My sister tried it for her heart flutters and could not tolerate it so I guess it would depend on your condition."

• Chasw...
• January 29, 2010

Sotalol Hydrochloride AF (sotalol) "Was use by cardiologist in the hospital to correct my A-fib... but semi strenuous exercise sent me back into A-Fib a few times while on it. Was afraid to exercise... not good. Saw another Cardiologist and he prescribe Metoprolol Succinate. This baby works like a charm, haven't been in A-fib since and am working out harder than ever."

• zooke...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2017

"I was on Sotolol for one month. While it did slow down my heart rate I was miserable the entire time. I constantly felt my heart was beating differently (this is a difficult sensation to describe). I was tired all the time, slept often during the day and rarely drove or went out even when someone else was driving. I am retired but prior to starting this medication I was active and traveled often. I did not have any afib episodes while on this medication, however, when I stopped taking sotolol I felt great/normal again and didn't have another afib episode for at least 7 months."

• Po Ra
• January 26, 2011

"Was prescribed this for Atrial Fibrillation. After ONE dose, I experienced: light-headedness, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, severe depression, slightly blurred vision, fatigue, anxiety, heart missing a beat often. At the time of writing, it's three days after my one does (I stopped it immediately) and am still encountering some of the above side-effects. I am on no other medications, nor have I been."

• cb ph...
• March 22, 2008

Betapace AF (sotalol) "I have been on this drug since the summer of 2004.For the first 4 months I had a few times of a.f not bad enough to go to the hospital,feet up and rest. But since then till now have not had an attack,it works for me.The only draw back is the restriction of eating before and after taking the drug and it is to be taken 12 hours apart.Also I have been on the same dose 80mg per pill since 2004 and never had to change.Hard on evening snacks."

• g70
• December 8, 2016

"I have been on this for four months now and while it almost completely controls my a fib with 80 mgs twice a day I am extremely tired to the point that I have gained forty pounds since starting it because in the evening after pushing through my whole work day all I do is sit down and I am asleep immediately. I have tried asking dr for different medicine but he keeps saying it it NOT the medicine making me tired."

• Fyreman
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2017

"I was diagnosed with AF about three years ago. Step one was defib which was ineffective. Step 2 was sotalol plus defib, which got me back in rhythm but slowed my pulse into the fourties. I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs! So they added a pacemaker which keeps my pulse at or above 60. All is well now, and the advantage of this pacemaker is that it stores any episode and reports back to the doctor through a transmitter in my home as well as at my semi-annual appointment. I am a very happy camper! 74 year old male."

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2011

"I get mild bouts of atrial fibrillation every couple of months and I also have problems with my body producing too much adrenaline for no reason which the cardiologist thinks may be causing my atrial fibrillation. He has put me on 40mg - 80mg (yes small dose) to be taken when I either have noticeable heart problems or adrenaline issues as sotalol is a beta blocker. I only take a dose once or twice a month and it seems to work within about 30 minutes. I have no negative effects from it and it fixes both my atrial fibrillation and provides an immediate calming effect like my adrenaline levels have dropped. Much better than anti-anxiety medicines that I was originally given."

• Andreas
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2019

"I am 51 and have had paroxysmal (intermittent Afib) for about three years. I used a calcium channel blocker for a few months. It didn't stop the episodes, just made them more comfortable to endure. I've been on Sotalol for a couple of days. No trace of Afib and the annoying Pace ( premature atrial contractions) that I suffered from. No tiredness either. I'm very happy. However, I keep thinking I should have an ablation to halt the disease progress. But I'm a bit of a sissy. I hope that doesn't bite me in the rear in the future."

• Baich...
• June 9, 2015

"In 2009 I had first paroxysmal Af within a week another episode....was put on sotalol 40 mg twice daily...now I am 37 and after 5 years of continuing sotalol I never had an episode...I workout for almost 2 hours weight training days weekly and this drug even worked as a SOS in times I felt that I am about to have AF...still continuing sotalol thank you"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2012

"The controlled application at St.Joe's Hospital did a wonder for me. It put my heart rate back to normal within hours. Not only did it put me back to lead my normal active live, it also will allow us (my family and myself) to carry out our planned trip to Europe (June/July 2012) in relative safety."

• Mor
• August 6, 2015

"After being shocked back into rhythm after a bout of afib, I was prescribed betapace 80mg twice a day. It has been two months and no afib although I feel irregular beats occasionally. I had several off and on days of urine burning as though I was on fire. Walked like I had been riding a horse for a few days straight. The pain was horrible. After trial and error I discovered that if I had a glass of coke after taking betapace the burning occurred in the evening. No cola no burning. Now I take betapace with milk and I feel much better. There should be a warning. Good luck!!"

• BigGu...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 28, 2018

"I am now 43yrs old I had my 1st episode of AFIB 01/10/10 I was admitted to the hospital for 2 days my heart went back into normal rhythm on its own. On 11/18/11 I had my 2nd episode heart again went back in normal rhythm on its own with the help of Sotalol of course. I was diagnosed with aFIB. I was put on Sotalol 120mg 2X a day. After about 2 months it was dropped down to 80mg 2X a day. I haven’t had a flutter incident since 10/2011, have been in “afib” which has a few different meanings about 7x in 7 yrs none required a trip to the ER or doctor. I have experienced all the side affects but after 7yrs they are all gone. Recently I lost 116 pounds and my heart rate has gone from the 54 rang down to 44. I went to my cardiologist who said the meds don’t work by weight. But every other doctor I have seen said my HR is too low and my SOTALOL dose needs to be adjusted. My doctor refuses to so I have an appointment with a new cardiologist to get a 2nd opinion."

• Caspe...
• December 14, 2017

"I was diagnosed with HCOM (Hypertrophic Cardio Mypothy) about 5 yrs ago. was on metoprolol 100mg twice a day. Then I had 2 AFib episodes about 1 1/2 yrs ago. was in hospital for 2 weeks to monitor the condition. they switched me to sotalol kept increasing the dose till 120mg twice a day. Which is what I need. So been on Sotalol for the last 1 1//2 years. Have side effects all the time such as very low energy, always feel like you just been hit by a bus.. and I'm only 36 yr old male. I have to say that I have lost my self coz of the conditions and side effects of the drug. But medically and physically I'm functioning thanks to this drug. You need a very positive out look and good family support otherwise this drug will make you depressed easily"

• Tyra...
• December 29, 2015

"Been on sotalol for 8 months now- had 2 relapses of AF. Had pacemaker implanted to stop bradycardia - on low dose of 80mg per day. Tried several beta blockers all caused low BP and heart rate. Sotalol does not affect BP. Side effects come and go - main ones ear noises - weight gain ( 6kg) - visual disturbance and suppression of heart rate when exercising."

• Vanco...
• May 27, 2015

"I'm 52 years old, I've had AF for 10 years. Completed an ablation surgery, and had no AF for 2.75 years, then it came back with 4 bouts in less than two weeks. Was put on Sotal 1 week ago, other than lightheadedness when standing I have had no side effects. Works well no AF(120mg), I will follow up with another review in one year."

• Gayle
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 28, 2020

"Miracle. After a cardioversion in hospital I kept suffering from fibrillation until I took my first Sotolol! It worked within 30 minutes. I have been on 80 mg twice a day for 6 years. The pharmacy filled the prescription with the blue Sotolol pill last week )made by a different manufacturer) and it did not work! Immediately went back to Sotolol manufactured by Apotex! They have flagged my prescription now to only dispense Apotex brand of Sotolol."

• Frank...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 16, 2016

"Diagnosed Wolff Parkinson White syndrome at 17. Experienced 3 to 5 serious attacks of uncontrollable supraventricular tachycardia per year until 35. At 35 went to ER with ragged variable pulse up to and over 400 bpm for two days. Diagnosed as afib. Underwent some experimental ablation at Cedars the third day and Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome disappeared. Q wave stopped reading inverted. Now I have afib. Several failed ablations and some shock work changed nothing. For the next 30 years just suffered with 6 to 8 severe afib events per year. Finally got medicare and treatment. Simply, Sotalol, 80mg/12hrs has relieved me of knee buckling afib events. I am in afib almost all the time but hardly severe enough to affect my routine."

• Mullie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2018

"Started Synthroid for hypothyroid, experienced Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) for the first time ever within 24 hours. Already taking Metoprolol (beta blocker) for arrhythmia for three years. Endocrinologist said thyroid levels were good, do whatever Cardiologist recommended. Cardiologist changed Metoprolol to Sotalol. Sotalol made the PVCs AND arrhythmia worse. Sotalol is PROARRHYTHMIC in 20% of patients! Cardiologist wanted to change to more toxic drug with more side effects. I suggested going back on Metoprolol (which had controlled arrhythmia completely for three years) and address hypothyroid medication. Naturopath prescribed medication for T3 replacement in addition to my doctors prescription of Synthroid and Metoprolol. It completely resolved the arrhythmia AND PVC's with 24 hours! Endicrinologist said T3 medication prescribed by Naturopath had nothing to do with the resolution of the issue! I disagree, it was not a coincidence. NO PVC, NO ARRYTHMIA The Naturopath is now involved in ALL decisions regarding medical decisions."

• Tim
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 28, 2020

"I've been on 80 mg sotalol twice daily for a-fib for almost 11 years. Episodes are now rare and I pretty much notice them only by the frequent urination. I've previously experienced difficulty when getting a new batch of medication from the online pharmacy. A different brand would always require my body to adjust and I'd feel awful for a few days. For the last two years I've been with Walgreen's and the product has been mostly consistent. My primary complaints are: 1) no stamina; 2) excessive sweating; and 3) loss of sexual function (which is probably also tied to hypertension med). I would love to be off Sotalol but am pretty well reconciled to swallowing pills the rest of my life."

• NH Pa...
• June 15, 2017

"Have endured a fib for about 15 years. Several cardio versions failed to eliminate the afib. Was put on Tikosyn about 10 years ago, 500 mg twice daily, which controlled the afib for 9 years or so and then failed to control it. A double ablation (afib and aflutter) was performed and after about six months, the afib came back. Next was a defibrillator/pacemaker implant. Began to have vfib problems. Defibrillator fired twice in a 6 month period. Was then put on amiodarone. There are new indications that long term use of Tikosyn or Amiodarone side effects may be vfib. Was taken off Amiodarone after four months. After 9 months, defibrillator fired again. Was then put on Sotalol. Back in normal rhythm. Too early to judge side effects"