Hemodynamic effects of parenteral and oral mexiletine

Intravenous mexiletine (250 mg in 10 min) given to patients at the acute stage of a myocardial infarction was responsible of a mild decrease of the left ventricular function; two of our patients presented bradycardia with hypotension, immediately corrected by atropine (i.v.). Adverse hemodynamic effects are seldom reported after oral administration.