MEXILETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Electrolyte / Mineral

Brand names: Mexiletine Hydrochloride

Oral

Mechanism of Action

Mechanism of Action Mexiletine hydrochloride is a local anesthetic, antiarrhythmic agent, structurally similar to lidocaine, but orally active. In animal studies, mexiletine has been shown to be effective in the suppression of induced ventricular arrhythmias, including those induced by glycoside toxicity and coronary artery ligation. Mexiletine, like lidocaine, inhibits the inward sodium current, thus reducing the rate of rise of the action potential, Phase 0. Mexiletine decreased the effective refractory period (ERP) in Purkinje fibers. The decrease in ERP was of lesser magnitude than the decrease in action potential duration (APD), with a resulting increase in the ERP/APD ratio.

Indications

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Mexiletine Hydrochloride Capsules USP are indicated for the treatment of documented ventricular arrhythmias

such as sustained ventricular tachycardia

that

in the judgment of the physician

are life- threatening. Because of the proarrhythmic effects of mexiletine

its use with lesser arrhythmias is generally not recommended. Treatment of patients with asymptomatic ventricular premature contractions should be avoided. Initiation of mexiletine treatment

Contraindications

• CONTRAINDICATIONS Mexiletine hydrochloride capsules are contraindicated in the presence of cardiogenic shock or preexisting second- or third-degree AV block (if no pacemaker is present).

FDA Warnings

BOXED WARNING WARNINGS Mortality In the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST), a long-term, multicentered, randomized, double-blind study in patients with asymptomatic non-life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias who had a myocardial infarction more than six days but less than two years previously, an excessive mortality or non-fatal cardiac arrest rate (7

Known Side Effects

6 documented side effects by frequency

Drug Not Working

>10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Shortness of Breath

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Fever

1-10%

High Blood Pressure

1-10%

Community Discussions

No community discussions found for MEXILETINE HYDROCHLORIDE yet.

Compare With

0 available comparisons

No comparisons yet.

Formulations

Dosage Forms

Tablet

Route

Oral