Sotalol

Does sotalol affect cognitive ability in adults? Is fatigue a normal side effect of sotalol, does it ever get better? Does sotalol affect sexual desire and ability to achieve orgasm in women? Thanks for this forum.

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear neener99,
Sotalol is an antiarrhythmic drug in the same class of medications as beta-blockers so it can cause all the same side-effects as beta-blockers such as problems with cognitive ability, fatigue, slow heart rates and shortness of breath.  It can cause problems in men in the ability to have an erection but I am not aware of a similar effect in women.

Here is some additional information about sotalol:
Sotalol (brand name Betapace) is a Class II and III antiarrhythmic that comes in 80, 120, 160 and 240 mg tablets.  It is indicated for a variety of heart arrhythmias.  It is usually initiated in the hospital on ECG monitoring due to a potential for inducing ventricular tachycardia.  The dosage starts at 80 mg twice daily and may be increased as needed.

Contraindications: Asthma, sinus bradycardia, 2nd or 3rd degree AV block unless paced, long QT syndromes, cardiogenic shock, uncompensated heart failure.

Precautions: sick sinus syndrome, heart failure, recent MI, diabetes.  Not recommended in nursing mothers.

Drug interactions: Avoid Class 1A and Class III antiarrhythmics; caution with Class I antiarrhythmics; phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, astemizole.

Potential adverse reactions: bradycardia, chest pain, palpitations, edema (swelling) ECG abnormalities, hypo- or hypertension, dyspnea (shortness of breath), asthma, dizziness, fatigue, headache, fainting, GI upset and rash.