Adverse effects of a single dose of (+)-sotalol in patients with mild stable asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of (+)-sotalol, which is not thought to possess clinically significant beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity, on airway responsiveness in subjects with mild asthma.


METHODS
A placebo controlled, double-blind, single dose, cross over study, evaluating the effects of oral (+)-sotalol 300 mg and oral (+/-)-sotalol 240 mg, on airway responsiveness, FEV1, and heart rate in 18 asthmatic volunteers with quantifiable levels of airway responsiveness.


RESULTS
Compared with placebo, (+)-sotalol induced a significant increase in airway responsiveness, and a significant decrease in FEV1, but there was no significant change in heart rate. Following (+/-)-sotalol there was no significant effect on airway responsiveness, but there were significant decreases in FEV1 and heart rate. In one subject both (+)-sotalol and (+/-)-sotalol provoked a 49% decrement in FEV1, and in another there were decrements of 20% and 18%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite theoretical considerations, it cannot be assumed that (+)-sotalol is safe in patients with asthma.
Devereux
G
G
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Victoria Infirmary, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Fishwick
K
K
Aiken
T C
TC
Bourke
S J
SJ
Hendrick
D J
DJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013015:Sotalol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D013015:Sotalol