Long-term oral antiarrhythmic therapy with mexiletine.
Forty-eight patients with ischaemic heart disease received oral mexiletine for the control or prevention of ventricular arrhythmias. The most frequently used doses were 200, 250, and 300 mg 8-hourly. The treatment period varied from 2 days to more than 1 year (median 3 months). No ventricular arrhythmias were detected in more than one-half of the patients. Severe side effects occurred in 15 (31%) of the 48 patients. Major ventricular arrhythmias were observed in 14 (29%) of the 48 patients at a time when the majority had plasma concentrations within the therapeutic range. The value of mexiletine in the management of patients at risk of sudden death is likely to be limited.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008801:Mexiletine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D011437:Propylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D011437:Propylamines; D008801:Mexiletine