Mexitil

Mexitil affects the way that your heart beats. Mexitil  is used to treat seriously irregular heartbeats. Take Mexitil exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Also, take Mexitil with food or an antacid to lessen stomach upset. Do not skip doses, change your dosing schedule, or stop taking Mexitil without talking to your doctor.

The dosage of Mexitil must be individualized on the basis of response and tolerance, both of which are dose-related. Administration with food or antacid is recommended. Initiate Mexitil therapy with 200 mg every eight hours when rapid control of arrhythmia is not essential. A minimum of two to three days between dose adjustments is recommended. Dose may be adjusted in 50 or 100 mg increments up or down.

Satisfactory control can be achieved in most patients by 200 to 300 mg given every eight hours with food or antacid. If satisfactory response has not been achieved at 300 mg q8h, and the patient tolerates Mexitil well, a dose of 400 mg q8h may be tried. As the severity of CNS side effects increases with total daily dose, the dose should not exceed 1200 mg/day.

Side effects:
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking mexiletine and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern;
• wheezing, coughing, chest pain, or chest discomfort;
• unusual bruising or bleeding; or
• fever, sore throat, a sore mouth, mouth ulcers, or an infection.