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. 1978 Jul;40(7):796–801. doi: 10.1136/hrt.40.7.796

Long-term oral antiarrhythmic therapy with mexiletine.

N P Campbell, J F Pantridge, A A Adgey
PMCID: PMC483486  PMID: 687477

Abstract

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.

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Selected References

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