Ventricular arrhythmias, especially after a myocardial infarction
DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION
Oral: 400 mg loading dose, followed by 200–250 mg 3–4 times daily commencing 2 hours after the loading doseIV injection: 100–250 mg at a rate of 25 mg/minute with ECG monitoring, followed by an infusion of 250 mg as a 0.1% solution over 1 hour, 125 mg/hour for 2 hours then 500 micrograms/minute thereafter
20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function
10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function
<10           : 50–75% of normal dose and titrate according to response
DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES
CAPD                :Not dialysed. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
HD                     :Not dialysed. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
HDF/high flux   :Dialysed. Dose as in GFR
<10           : mL/min
CAV/VVHD      :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Analgesics: opioids delay absorption
Anti-arrhythmics: increased myocardial depression with any combination of anti-arrhythmics
Antidepressants: metabolism inhibited by fluvoxamine (increased toxicity)Antihistamines: increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias with mizolastine – avoid concomitant use
Antipsychotics: increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias with antipsychotics that prolong the QT interval
Antivirals: possibly increased risk of arrhythmias with ritonavir
Beta-blockers: increased myocardial depression
Diuretics: action of mexiletine antagonised by hypokalaemia5HT 3 antagonists increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias with dolasetron – avoid concomitant use; caution with tropisetron
ADMINISTRATION
Reconstition
–
Route
IV infusion
, oral
Rate of Administration
Variable
Comments
Add 250–500 mg mexiletine to 500 mL of infusion solution, e.g. sodium chloride 0.9%, glucose 5%, sodium bicarbonate 8.4%, sodium lactate, sodium chloride 0.9% with potassium chloride 0.3% or 0.6%
OTHER INFORMATION
Mexiletine has a narrow therapeutic index. Its therapeutic effect has been correlated with plasma concentrations of 0. 5–2 micrograms per mLMexiletine is metabolised in the liver and is excreted in the urine, mainly in the form of metabolitesRate of elimination increased with acidic urineInjection can be given orally; however, due to local anaesthetic effect, care needed with hot foods