Long-term clinical experience with mexiletine

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Mexiletine is an antiarrhythmic drug.
• Long-term safety data for mexiletine is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of mexiletine.
• To assess mexiletine's efficacy as a sustained antiarrhythmic therapy.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 12 patients received mexiletine for 4 to 96 months.
• Serum drug levels and side effects were monitored.
• Antinuclear factor titers were assessed.

Main Results:

• Mexiletine was well tolerated in all patients.
• No serious side effects were observed during long-term use.
• Serum mexiletine levels remained within the therapeutic range, with side effects correlating to drug levels.

Conclusions:

• Mexiletine is a safe and well-tolerated antiarrhythmic drug for long-term administration.
• It represents a viable alternative to other antiarrhythmic therapies.