Sotalol injection

What is this medicine?

SOTALOL (SOE ta lole) is a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers reduce the workload on the heart and help it to beat more regularly. This medicine is used to treat heart rhythm problems and to slow rapid heartbeats. This medicine can help your heart to return to and maintain a normal rhythm.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• chest pain

• cold, tingling, or numb hands or feet

• confusion

• diarrhea

• difficulty breathing, wheezing

• irregular heartbeat

• muscle aches and pains

• slow heart rate

• sweating

• swollen legs or ankles

• tremor, shakes

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• change in sex drive or performance

• mental depression

• nausea

• weakness or tiredness

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• amoxapine

• arsenic trioxide

• certain antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin

• cisapride

• droperidol

• haloperidol

• hawthorn

• medicines for malaria like chloroquine and halofantrine

• medicines to control heart rhythm like amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, ibutilide, propafenone

• methadone

• pentamidine

• pimozide

• phenothiazines like prochlorperazine, perphenazine, thioridazine, and others

• pimozide

• ranolazine

• tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline, and others

• troleandomycin

• ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• clonidine

• digoxin

• guanethidine

• medicines for angina or high blood pressure like diltiazem or verapamil

• medicines for colds and breathing difficulties

• medicines for diabetes

• other beta-blockers like atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol and others

• reserpine

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes

• heart or vessel disease like low blood pressure, slow heart rate, worsening heart failure, heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or Raynaud's disease

• kidney disease

• history of low levels of potassium or magnesium

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma or emphysema

• pheochromocytoma

• recent heart attack

• thyroid disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to sotalol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.