Cardol (Sotalol Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Cardol Used For?
Cardol contains sotalol hydrochloride, a beta-blocker medication that helps regulate your heart rhythm and rate.
Primary Uses
Cardol is used to treat arrhythmias, which are problems when the heart beats too quickly or with an irregular rhythm.
How It Works
Cardol works by changing your body’s response to certain nerve impulses, especially in the heart. This helps your heart beat more regularly and reduces the effort your heart needs to pump blood effectively.
Good to know: There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
How to Take Cardol
Take Cardol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The timing and way you take it is important for it to work properly.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is 80 mg to 160 mg twice a day. Your doctor may adjust this based on your condition and response. Some patients may need up to three to four 160 mg tablets spread throughout the day. Swallow tablets whole with water, one to two hours before meals. Do not take with food or milk. Take at the same time each day for best results.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Do not stop taking Cardol suddenly without checking with your doctor first.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting (especially when standing up)
- Tiredness, lack of energy, weakness
- Headache, fever, cramps
- Eye irritation, blurred vision, increased light sensitivity
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, gas
- Taste changes
- Anxiety, depression, mood changes
- Confusion, hallucinations
- Sexual function problems
- Sleep disturbances, unusual dreams
- Worsening of psoriasis
- Hearing disturbances
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet, cold limbs
- Muscle spasms
- Excessive sweating
- Dry mouth
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath
- Very slow heartbeat
- Fast, irregular heartbeat, palpitations
- Chest pain
- Skin rash, itching
- Shortness of breath with swelling of feet or legs due to fluid buildup
- Fainting
Important Warnings
Before taking Cardol, it’s crucial to discuss your medical history and current health conditions with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Cardol
Do not take Cardol if you are allergic to sotalol hydrochloride, other beta-blockers, or any ingredients in the medication. Also avoid if you have breathing conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive airway disease, heart circulation problems, kidney problems, thyroid problems, or low magnesium levels. Do not use if receiving emergency treatment for shock or severely low blood pressure.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, phaeochromocytoma (rare adrenal gland tumor), problems with blood salt levels (potassium or magnesium), history of irregular or slow pulse, hardening of arteries, or if you’re planning surgery with general anesthesia.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Cardol if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. Cardol may affect your baby during pregnancy and passes into breast milk, potentially affecting a nursing baby.
Allergy Warning: If you have a history of allergies, Cardol may cause allergic reactions to be worse and harder to treat. Tell your doctor immediately about severe allergic reactions to foods, medicines, or insect bites.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with Cardol and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Blood pressure medications (including other beta-blockers)
- Floctafenine (pain medication)
- Infection treatments (erythromycin IV, amphotericin B, pentamidine, halofantrine)
- Steroids and laxatives
- Clonidine (for hot flushes or headaches)
- Heart rhythm medications (quinidine, disopyramide, mexiletine, flecainide, amiodarone)
- Digoxin (for heart failure)
- Angina or heart condition medications
- Antidepressants
- Diabetes medications (insulin and others)
- Asthma medications (salbutamol, terbutaline)
- Antihistamines (terfenadine, astemizole)
- Quinolone antibiotics
- Diuretics (water tablets)
- Neuromuscular blocking agents
- Anesthetics and emergency medications
Alcohol & Driving
Cardol can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Cardol. Your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol during treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Cardol affects you. The medication may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or drowsiness in some people. If this occurs, do not drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Keep Cardol tablets in their original container until it’s time to take them. Store at temperatures below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Cardol, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no symptoms. Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, faintness, breathing trouble, very slow heartbeat, or fast irregular heartbeat. Too much Cardol can cause dangerously low blood pressure and heart rate, potentially leading to serious heart problems that could be fatal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cardol helps control your heart rhythm, but the source doesn’t specify exact timing. Your doctor will monitor your progress to ensure it’s working effectively for your condition.
No, you should take Cardol on an empty stomach, one to two hours before meals. Do not take it with food or milk as this can affect how well it works.
No, there is no evidence that Cardol is addictive.
Do not stop taking Cardol suddenly as this may cause unwanted heart complications. Your doctor will tell you how to gradually reduce your dose over 7 to 14 days before stopping completely.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Cardol. Your doctor may suggest you avoid alcohol while being treated with this medication.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Cardol may affect how well your diabetes is controlled and may cover up some symptoms of low blood sugar like fast heartbeat. You’ll need to check your blood sugar regularly and report changes to your doctor.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.