Mexiletine

Mexiletine is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of irregular heartbeats (ventricular tachycardia).

• Mexiletine is available under the following different brand names: Mexitil

Adult dosage

Capsule

• 150mg
• 200mg
• 250mg

Ventricular Arrhythmias (Life-Threatening)

Adult dosage

• Initial: 200 mg orally every 8 hours; may load with 400 mg followed by 200 mg orally every 8 hours if necessary for rapid control of the ventricular arrhythmia
• Dose range: 200-300 mg orally every 8 hours
• May increase to 400 mg every 8 hours; not to exceed 1200 mg/day
• Take with food or antacid
• Therapeutic range: 0.5-2 mg/L
• Pediatric dosage
• Not FDA approved
• The usual dose for arrhythmias: 2.5-5 mg/kg orally every 8 hours

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Mexiletine include:

• heartburn,
• upset stomach,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• tremors,
• feeling nervous,
• problems with coordination, and
• blurred vision.

Serious side effects of Mexiletine include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• abnormal liver function tests,
• chest pain,
• new or a worsening irregular heartbeats pattern, and
• liver problems–nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Rare side effects of Mexiletine include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.