sotalol

Sotalol has both beta-adrenoreceptor blocking and cardiac action potential duration prolongation antiarrhythmic properties. Sotalol inhibits response to adrenergic stimuli by competitively blocking β1-adrenergic receptors within the myocardium and β2-adrenergic receptors within bronchial and vascular smooth muscle. It is FDA approved for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, symptomatic atrial fibtillation, symptomatic atriall flutter. Common adverse reactions include bradyarrhythmia, chest pain, lightheadedness, palpitations, rash, nausea, dizziness, headache, dyspnea, fatigue. Proarrhythmic events were more common in sotalol treated patients also receiving digoxin. Sotalol should be administered with caution in conjunction with calcium blocking drugs because of possible additive effects on atrioventricular conduction or ventricular function. Patients treated with sotalol plus a catecholamine depletor should therefore be closely monitored for evidence of hypotension and/or marked bradycardia which may produce syncope. — NCATS