Zinc & Sotalol

There are a variety of treatments for heart arrhythmias, or irregular heart beat, one of which is a drug called sotalol. Arrhythmias can be triggered by too much zinc in your diet, but zinc toxicity may also influence the way sotalol works. Consult your health care provider to determine if your should be concerned about ingesting too much zinc while taking this medication.

About Zinc

Zinc is a mineral your body requires for cellular metabolism. It is also critical for wound healing, immune function and your sense of taste and smell. The recommended daily intake of zinc ranges from 8 to 11 milligrams, although you may require slightly more if you are breast feeding. Oysters and red meat are excellent sources of zinc, as are chicken, beans, cashews, yogurt and dairy foods.

About Sotalol

Sotalol is a medication your physician may prescribe if you have an abnormal heart rhythm. You must take this drug in a hospital or other monitoring facility for the first couple of days so your physician can monitor your heart, because the drug can worsen heart rhythm problems under certain circumstances. Sotalol is meant to control abnormal heart rhythm, not cure it. Your physician may prescribe a low-sodium diet while you take sotalol.

Zinc and Sotalol

Symptoms of zinc toxicity, or the consumption of 150 milligrams to 1 to 2 grams per day, include cardiac irregularities, such as abnormal heart rhythm. Because zinc can trigger heart arrhythmias and increase your need for sotalol to control it, monitor your diet while taking this drug.

Heart Arrhythmia Facts

A heart arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, can refer to a heart that is beating too fast, too slow or irregularly. That puts stress on your heart muscle. This problem is generally triggered by a deviation in your body's ability to conduct electricity. Your risk of a heart arrhythmia is influenced by heart attack history, an overactive thyroid gland, a weakened heart muscle and blood chemistry imbalances such as consuming too much zinc.

References

Article reviewed by Gary Reinmuth Last updated on: Oct 26, 2011

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