Like all medicines, sotalol can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine.
Common side effects of sotalol
These common side effects of sotalol happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They're usually mild and do not last long. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.
Headaches usually go away as your body gets used to the medicine. Talk to your doctor if the headaches do not go away or are severe.
Feeling tired, dizzy or weak
If sotalol makes you feel dizzy or weak, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery if you're feeling tired. Do not drink alcohol as it will make you feel worse.
Cold fingers or toes
Put your hands or feet under warm running water, massage them and wiggle your fingers and toes.
Do not smoke or have drinks with caffeine in, as these can make your blood vessels narrower and restrict your blood flow. Smoking also makes your skin colder.
Try wearing mittens (they're warmer than gloves) and warm socks. Do not wear tight watches or bracelets.
Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your sotalol after you've eaten.
If you're being sick, try small frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
Do not take any other medicines to treat vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do.
Diarrhoea
Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill and you have severe watery diarrhoea, or any diarrhoea that lasts for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects when taking sotalol.
Call 111 or call your doctor now if:
- you get nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, or you bruise more easily than usual – these can be signs of low numbers of platelets in your blood (thrombocytopenia)
- you have shortness of breath with a cough which gets worse when you exercise (like walking upstairs), swollen ankles or legs, or an irregular heartbeat – these can be signs of heart problems
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- you have heart palpitations and feel dizzy or faint
- you have chest pain
These could be signs of a serious problem with your heart rhythm.
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, sotalol may cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of sotalol. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.