Mexiletine
Encyclopedia
Mexiletine belongs to the Class IB anti-arrhythmic group of medicines. It is used to treat arrhythmias within the heart
, or seriously irregular heartbeats. It slows conduction in the heart and makes the heart tissue less sensitive. Dizziness, heartburn, nausea, nervousness, trembling, unsteadiness are common side effects. It is available in injection and capsule form.
Class IB antiarrhythmics decrease action potential duration by shortening the repolarization phase. This is achieved by blocking sodium channels.
Mexiletine may also be of use in patients experiencing refractory pain and is also effective for treating muscle stiffness resulting from myotonia congenita
(Thomsen disease
) or myotonic dystrophy
(Steinert's disease).
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
, or seriously irregular heartbeats. It slows conduction in the heart and makes the heart tissue less sensitive. Dizziness, heartburn, nausea, nervousness, trembling, unsteadiness are common side effects. It is available in injection and capsule form.
Class IB antiarrhythmics decrease action potential duration by shortening the repolarization phase. This is achieved by blocking sodium channels.
Mexiletine may also be of use in patients experiencing refractory pain and is also effective for treating muscle stiffness resulting from myotonia congenita
Myotonia congenita
Congenital myotonia is a genetic, neuromuscular channelopathy that affects skeletal muscles . It is congenital, meaning that it is present from birth. Amongst other problems, it causes delayed relaxation of the muscles and rigidity...
(Thomsen disease
Thomsen disease
Thomsen disease, a form of Myotonia congenita, is a muscular genetic disorder characterized by muscle stiffness and an inability of the muscle to relax after a voluntary contraction...
) or myotonic dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy is a chronic, slowly progressing, highly variable inherited multisystemic disease. It is characterized by wasting of the muscles , cataracts, heart conduction defects, endocrine changes, and myotonia. Myotonic dystrophy can occur in patients of any age...
(Steinert's disease).