Drug interactions
Sotalol + Succinylcholine
Severity: Minor
Sotalol and Succinylcholine: minor 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
Sotalol, a nonselective beta-blocker, can marginally reduce cellular potassium uptake, but the effect on succinylcholine-induced hyperkalemia is small. More important is sotalol's QT prolongation and arrhythmia risk, which may be unmasked if electrolytes shift during anesthesia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sotalol and Succinylcholine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Sotalol belongs to Cardiovascular; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Slight impairment of beta-2 mediated potassium uptake, plus potential electrolyte-related arrhythmia risk with sotalol.
What to do
Check potassium and magnesium before surgery and monitor ECG, including QT interval, during anesthesia. No change of succinylcholine dose is required.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Succinylcholine
Other interactions of Sotalol
- Arsenic trioxide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Sotalol Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Sotalol with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Sotalol and Succinylcholine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Sotalol, a nonselective beta-blocker, can marginally reduce cellular potassium uptake, but the effect on succinylcholine-induced hyperkalemia is small. More important is sotalol's QT prolongation and arrhythmia risk, which may be unmasked if electrolytes shift during anesthesia.
How serious is the interaction between Sotalol and Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check potassium and magnesium before surgery and monitor ECG, including QT interval, during anesthesia. No change of succinylcholine dose is required.
What other medicines interact with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Succinylcholine with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Capreomycin. The full list is on the Succinylcholine page.
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