Mexiletine
Information about Mexiletine
Mexiletine uses
Mexiletine is used in the treatment of Arrhythmia.
How mexiletine works
Mexiletine is an anti-arrhythmic medication. It regulates heart beat by blocking abnormal electrical signals in the heart.
Common side effects of mexiletine
Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness, Fatigue, Chest pain, Paresthesia (tingling or pricking sensation), Tremors, Breathlessness, Palpitations, Heartburn, Lightheadedness, Sleep disturbance, Rash, Hepatitis (viral infection of liver), Liver necrosis, Exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Pancreatic inflammation
Available Medicine for Mexiletine
Expert advice for Mexiletine
- It may cause dizziness. Do not drive or perform activities require mental focus until you know how it affects you.
- Do not start any medicine including prescription or over-the-counter medicines without informing your doctor, as they may alter Mexiletine levels in your body.
- Your doctor may get blood tests done to check your sodium and potassium levels, kidney function, and lung function before starting treatment with this medicine.
- Your doctor may regularly monitor blood sugar level while taking this medicine.
- Inform your doctor if you experience slow or fast heart rate, chest pain, shortness of breath.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
- Do not stop taking medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Frequently asked questions for Mexiletine
Mexiletine
Q. Is Mexiletine a beta blocker?
No, Mexiletine is not a beta blocker. It is a sodium channel blocker and belongs to antiarrhythmic class of medicine. It blocks the fast sodium channels in heart, and therefore, helps in treating ventricular arrhythmia (abnormal electrical activity). This medicine blocks certain electrical signals in the heart and stabilizes the heart rhythm.
Q. Does Mexiletine lower heart rate?
Mexiletine may lower your heart rate. In addition to this, it may also cause palpitations, irregular heart beats, decrease in blood pressure and atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm). Therefore, you will probably be hospitalized when you begin your treatment with Mexiletine. Your doctor will monitor you carefully during this time and for as long as you continue to take Mexiletine.
Q. Is Mexiletine bad for liver?
Yes, Mexiletine may cause liver damage. This may occur within a few weeks of starting Mexiletine and is more likely to occur in patients with heart failure. Patients who have impaired liver function are monitored carefully. Also, the half life of Mexiletine is prolonged in patients having liver problems and it stays for more time in body. Tell your doctor if you notice symptoms such as fatigue, dark or “tea-colored” urine, loss of appetite for several days or longer, or pain and tenderness on the right side of the abdomen. Look out if your skin or the white part of your eyes turn yellow (jaundice) and consult your doctor immediately.