An irregular heartbeat is an arrhythmia (also called dysrhythmia). Heart rates can also be irregular. A normal heart rate is 50 to 100 beats per minute. Arrhythmias and abnormal heart rates don't necessarily occur together. Arrhythmias can occur with a normal heart rate, or with heart rates that are slow (called bradyarrhythmias -- less than 50 beats per minute). Arrhythmias can also occur with rapid heart rates (called tachyarrhythmias -- faster than 100 beats per minute). In the United States, more than 850,000 people are hospitalized for an arrhythmia each year.
Arrhythmias may be caused by many different factors, including:
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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.MEXITIL
(mexiletine hydrochloride) Capsule
Capsules of 150 mg, 200 mg and 250 mg
Oral Antiarrhythmic
MEXITIL® (mexiletine hydrochloride, USP) is an orally active antiarrhythmic agent available as 150 mg, 200 mg and 250 mg capsules. 100 mg of mexiletine hydrochloride is equivalent to 83.31 mg of mexiletine base. It is a white to off-white crystalline powder with slightly bitter taste, freely soluble in water and in alcohol. MEXITIL (mexiletine hcl) has a pKa of 9.2.
Chemically, MEXITIL (mexiletine hcl) is 1-methyl-2-(2, 6-xylyloxy) ethylamine hydrochloride and has the following structural formula:
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MEXITIL (mexiletine hcl) capsules contain the following excipients: colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, gelatin, pharmaceutical glaze, simethicone, FD&C Red No. 40, and FD&C Blue No. 1; the MEXITIL (mexiletine hcl) 150 mg and 250 mg capsules also contain FD&C Yellow No. 10 and D&C Red No. 28. MEXITIL (mexiletine hcl) capsules may contain one or more of the following components: sodium lauryl sulfate, lecithin, shellac, and FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking mexiletine and seek emergency medical attention:
Other, less serious side effects...
Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Mexitil »
Before taking mexiletine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other heart problems (such as heart failure, slow heartbeat, previous heart attack), liver problems, seizure disorder.
This drug may make you dizzy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly...
Last reviewed on RxList: 4/8/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
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