Drug interactions
Lithium + Sotalol
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Sotalol: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Lithium can cause sinus node dysfunction, bradycardia and occasionally QT prolongation, especially at higher levels. With sotalol, the risk of bradycardia and torsades may be increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Sotalol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Sotalol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac conduction and repolarization; lithium may impair sinus node function.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG, keep lithium levels in range and correct electrolytes. Monitor heart rate and QTc, particularly after dose changes or with renal impairment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Sotalol
- Arsenic trioxide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Sotalol Contraindicated
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Sotalol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Sotalol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Lithium can cause sinus node dysfunction, bradycardia and occasionally QT prolongation, especially at higher levels. With sotalol, the risk of bradycardia and torsades may be increased.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Sotalol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG, keep lithium levels in range and correct electrolytes. Monitor heart rate and QTc, particularly after dose changes or with renal impairment.
What other medicines interact with Sotalol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sotalol with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Artemether / lumefantrine, Disopyramide. The full list is on the Sotalol page.
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