last resort medication for palpitations

I take Toprol XL 50 mg. and palpitations began again after they were gone for a month.  Cardiologist said he could put me in the hospital and monitor me on the drug sotalol to try to get them to stop.  

Does anyone know about this medication and if so does it work and what are the side affects?

Spiritgirl10

[CFS56]

sotolol is a powerful antiarrhythmic and can have some bad side effects.  One of the most bothersome is that it actually has a pro-arrhythmic effect, it can induce arrhythmias that weren't there to start with.  Hence, the hospitalization when starting the meds.  I took it for a brief time last summer and had to come off of it because my heart was going bonkers.  Along with that, it has the same side effects as all the other beta blockers.  If you have benign palpitations I would stay away.  I was switched to bystolic, which has worked well for me where toprol and atenolol didn't.

[chicky2001]

Is bystolic a new drug?  I haven't heard of it.  I'm having trouble again with PVCs.  I am on Norpace and have used Toprol.  I'm at my wits end.  I think my heart rate is too slow when resting.  Sometimes I feel dizzy.  Geez this is so bad.  I hate having to go trough this like most all my life.  

[debbier]

I have tried Toprol  and it did not work for me either.  I switched to Atenolol 5 months ago and so far so good, I was able to lower my dose to 12.5 with good results.   Good Luck!

[CFS56]

bystolic is a fairly new drug in the U.S.  It's been being used in Europe for a while.  I have had far fewer side effects from it than from the atenolol.  The atenolol did nothing for PVCs and PACs for me, in fact, it actually seemed to make them worse. I've been taking bystolic since November..so far so good.

[chicky2001]

I will talk to my cardo about bystolic.  I take it the drug controls your BP and heart rate as well as PVCs.  I really don't feel good if my heart rate goes to low for me.  Do you have to take any other meds with it to control BP?  

My cardio wants to take me off Norpace and put me back on Toprol only.  I just don't feel good about that.  

[chicky2001]

I agree with CFS56 about sotalol.  I would rather try different drugs to find out what works best for me without trying a drug you have to be hospitalized to start.  There are other beta blockers than Toprol.  

Has your cardo said anything about raising your dosage of Toprol to twice a day.  I take it you're only taking it once a day.  Is that the only drug you are taking for this problem?

[Spiritgirl10]

I tried taking 1 1/2, one half in the morning and the whole one at night for awhile and I am not sure if it helped much.  Here is the thing, I got the pvc's the last of Feb. and lasted 3 months and stopped the last of April. During that time I added the half pill.  Perhaps I will try again to add the half and see what happenes.  The pvc's stopped for one month and have started up again.  I have not had any side effects from Toprol.  I had the heart-echo along with the stress test on the treadmill and they say my heart is fine.  I think I will NOT take the hospital trip for the sotalol.  Heard too many bad things about it.  I am going to try exercising some, watch what I eat (which I do anyway) and take the half extra pill and see what happens.  Thanks for your comments.  I also am praying about this situation. I believe in the power of prayer!
Blessings!

[IaneFortin]

I know that Rythmol has some good results with PVCs, But it has a short life span in the system.  Usually a high dose 3 times a day has better results. Usually the treatment begins in the hospital with monitoring for a few days and then you go home with a prescription.
Side effects of Rythmol are not as bad as the more potent drugs out there.  Like any other can cause a different type of arrhythmia, but the chances are much lower.

Iane F.