Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while using Sotalol as follows:
- Careful follow-up regarding potassium levels in the blood is mandatory, as both hypo and hyperkalemia can cause serious life threatening arrhythmias.
- Sotalol is contraindicated in individuals with history of asthma, COPD, and with any other issues resulting in episodes of difficulty breathing. Report any symptoms of exacerbation of asthma and shortness of breath immediately to your doctor.
- Observe compliance with any regular lab work ordered. As Sotalol has the potential to cause liver damage and is eliminated by the kidneys, hepatic and renal function could be periodically monitored.
- Take a blood pressure and heart rate reading always before you take the pill. Maintain a log of every day blood pressure and heart rate readings. Notify your doctor, if they are being extremely low.
- If a dose is missed, it should be taken at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, the missed dose can be skipped. Compensating for the missed dose by taking an extra dose can pose serious risk for an episode of extremely low blood pressure and heart rate, and acute episode of bronchoconstriction with shortness of breath, thus precipitating an emergency.
