Drug reference

mexiletine

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Drug class

Cardiovascular (Anti Arrhythmia)

Mechanism of action

Class 1B antidysrhythmic; combines with fast Na channels & thereby inhibits recovery after repolarization resulting in decreasing myocardial excitability & conduction velocity

Common side effects

  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Ataxia
  • Heartburn

Boxed warnings

  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST): Excessive mortality or nonfatal cardiac arrest (7.7%) shown with encainide or flecainide compared with placebo (3%) CAST was a long-term, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study in patients with asymptomatic non-life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias who had a myocardial infarction (MI) >6 days but <2 yr previously Average duration of treatment w/ encainide or flecainide in CAST was 10 months Applicability of CAST results to other populations (eg, patients without recent MI) is uncertain…

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to mexiletine Cardiogenic shock, preexisting 2°/3° AV block without pacemaker

Known interactions (1)

Related conditions

Frequently asked questions

What drug class is mexiletine?

mexiletine belongs to: Cardiovascular.

How does mexiletine work?

Class 1B antidysrhythmic; combines with fast Na channels & thereby inhibits recovery after repolarization resulting in decreasing myocardial excitability & conduction velocity

What are the common side effects of mexiletine?

Dizziness, Vomiting, Nausea, Ataxia, Heartburn

Which drugs interact with mexiletine?

duloxetine

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