Mexiletine
Mexiletine is a medication used to treat certain types of serious ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). It is classified as a Class IB antiarrhythmic agent and is chemically related to lidocaine. Mexiletine works by blocking sodium channels in the heart, which helps to stabilize the cardiac cell membrane and reduce abnormal electrical activity.
Medical Uses[edit | edit source]
Mexiletine is primarily used to manage ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, which are life-threatening conditions. It is also sometimes used off-label for the treatment of neuropathic pain and myotonia in patients with certain types of muscular dystrophy.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
Mexiletine exerts its effects by inhibiting the influx of sodium ions through the sodium channels during the depolarization phase of the cardiac action potential. This action helps to stabilize the cardiac cell membrane and reduce the excitability of the heart muscle, thereby preventing abnormal electrical activity that can lead to arrhythmias.
Pharmacokinetics[edit | edit source]
Mexiletine is well-absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and has a bioavailability of approximately 90%. It is metabolized in the liver by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, primarily by CYP2D6. The drug has a half-life of about 10-12 hours, allowing for twice or three times daily dosing.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Common side effects of mexiletine include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and dizziness. Serious side effects can include liver toxicity, blood dyscrasias, and seizures. Patients taking mexiletine should be monitored regularly for signs of toxicity and adverse reactions.
Contraindications[edit | edit source]
Mexiletine is contraindicated in patients with cardiogenic shock, second- or third-degree heart block (without a pacemaker), and known hypersensitivity to the drug. Caution is advised in patients with liver disease, renal impairment, and congestive heart failure.
Drug Interactions[edit | edit source]
Mexiletine can interact with other medications, including beta-blockers, phenytoin, and theophylline. These interactions can either increase the risk of side effects or reduce the effectiveness of mexiletine.
History[edit | edit source]
Mexiletine was first synthesized in the 1970s and was approved for medical use in the United States in 1985. It has since become an important medication in the management of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
CaptionSynonyms| Drug Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Image | |||
| Identifiers
CAS Number ATC Code PubChem DrugBank ChemSpider ID UNII KEGG ChEBI ChEMBL IUPAC Name |
Chemical Data
C H N O Molecular Weight | ||
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
