Who can and cannot take sotalol

Most adults and children aged 12 years old and over can take sotalol.

It can also be taken by children under 12 years old on the advice of their specialist.

Sotalol is not suitable for some people.

To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting to take it if you have:

• ever had an allergic reaction to sotalol or any other medicine
• low blood pressure or a slow heart rate
• heart failure which is getting worse, heart disease, or you've recently had a heart attack
• any problems with your kidneys
• an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) – sotalol may make it more difficult to recognise the warning signs of having too much thyroid hormone in your body (thyrotoxicosis)
• severe blood circulation problems in your limbs (such as Raynaud's), which may make your fingers and toes tingle or turn pale or blue (this may be less noticeable if you have black or brown skin)
• metabolic acidosis – when there is too much acid in your blood
• a lung disease or severe asthma
• severe diarrhoea