Sotalol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 12, 2024.

Applies to sotalol: oral solution, oral tablet.

Other dosage forms:

• intravenous solution

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood, urine, and ECG tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem such as QT prolongation.

This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand up slowly if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

Do not interrupt or Stop taking sotalol without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is stopped suddenly, which can be dangerous.

Sotalol may cause heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, an irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, or weight gain.

This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Also, this medicine may cover up signs of low blood sugar in patients who have diabetes or are fasting (eg, surgery, not eating regularly, vomiting), such as a rapid pulse rate. Check with your doctor if you have these problems or if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.

Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of sotalol

Along with its needed effects, sotalol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sotalol:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking sotalol:

Symptoms of overdose

• anxiety
• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• cold sweats
• confusion
• cool, pale skin
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• depression
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• increased hunger
• nightmares
• seizures
• shakiness
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• slurred speech
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects of sotalol

Some side effects of sotalol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to sotalol: intravenous solution, oral solution, oral tablet.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Bradycardia (up to 16%), chest pain (up to 16%), palpitation (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Edema, abnormal ECG, hypotension, proarrhythmia (including Torsade de Pointes), syncope, heart failure, presyncope, vasodilation, Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD) discharge, hypertension, stroke^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 20%), dizziness (up to 20%), asthenia (up to 13%), light headedness (up to 12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, perspiration, paresthesia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (up to 21%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pulmonary problem, upper respiratory tract problem, asthma^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea/vomiting (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Appetite disorder, diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, colon problem, flatulence, cramps^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Weight change^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Extremity pain, back pain^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Genitourinary disorder, sexual dysfunction^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Bleeding^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Infection^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Localized pain^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Vision problem^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fever, abnormal lab value
• Frequency not reported: Taste abnormalities, hearing disturbances^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression, sleep problem, altered consciousness, anxiety, mood change^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What's the difference between Sotalol and Sotalol AF?

Further information

Sotalol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer