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Mexiletine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 26, 2024.

Applies to mexiletine: oral capsule.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (capsule)

Considering the known proarrhythmic properties of mexiletine and the lack of evidence of improved survival for any antiarrhythmic drug in patients without life-threatening arrhythmias, the use of mexiletine as well as other antiarrhythmic agents should be reserved for patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia.

Common side effects of mexiletine

Some side effects of mexiletine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • heartburn
  • nausea and vomiting
  • nervousness
  • trembling or shaking of the hands
  • unsteadiness or difficulty in walking

Less common side effects

  • blurred vision
  • confusion
  • constipation or diarrhea
  • headache
  • numbness or tingling of fingers and toes
  • ringing in the ears
  • skin rash
  • slurred speech
  • trouble in sleeping
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Serious side effects of mexiletine

Along with its needed effects, mexiletine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking mexiletine:

Less common side effects

Rare side effects

  • convulsions (seizures)
  • fever or chills
  • unusual bleeding or bruising

For healthcare professionals

Applies to mexiletine: oral capsule.

General adverse events

Generally, mexiletine has been well tolerated. Side effects usually have been reversible and dose-related. The most common side effects associated with mexiletine therapy have been gastrointestinal and nervous system effects. The incidence of side effects increases at serum levels greater than 2.0 mcg/mL.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have occurred most frequently. Nausea, anorexia, constipation and dyspepsia have been reported in 10% to 40% of patients, primarily during the first 3 to 4 weeks of therapy. Administration with food usually reduced gastrointestinal side effects. Diarrhea was reported in 7% of patients. Dysphagia, salivary changes, altered taste, changes in oral mucosa, hiccups, peptic ulcer disease, upper GI bleeding, and esophageal ulceration have been reported rarely.[Ref]

A case of mexiletine esophageal ulceration has been reported. Mexiletine was continued following a dosage reduction and an increase in the dosing interval.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included fine hand tremor (10%), dizziness (up to 25%), and difficulties with coordination (10.2%). These symptoms may be the first signs of toxicity. Ataxia, dysarthria, drowsiness, paresthesias, nervousness, speech difficulties, depression, and confusion have been reported less frequently. Short-term memory loss, malaise, seizures, and loss of consciousness have occurred.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular symptoms of palpitation and chest pain have occurred in up to 7.5% of patients. A proarrhythmic effect has been reported in approximately 10% of patients and angina 1.7%. Mexiletine has little effect on cardiac contractility. Syncope, hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia, conduction disturbances, atrial arrhythmias, edema, and congestive heart failure have occurred.[Ref]

Rare cases of torsades de pointes have been associated with mexiletine. New or worsened congestive heart failure has been reported in 1% to 3% of patients.

A case of new first-degree AV heart block and left bundle branch block associated with elevated mexiletine serum levels (34 mcg/mL) was reported.[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects are rare and have included reports of thrombocytopenia, which is thought to be due to an IgM cold agglutinin.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity rashes have been reported rarely.[Ref]

A generalized pruritic, erythematous, papular rash has been reported in a 77-year-old man.[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have been rare. Isolated cases of mild reversible elevations in liver function tests which resolved after two to three weeks after stopping mexiletine have occurred. Rare cases of severe hepatitis or acute hepatic necrosis have been reported.[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory abnormalities including dyspnea have occurred in 3.7% to 5.7% of patients.[Ref]

A case of fatal diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis has been associated with mexiletine in a 75-year-old man who had previously taken procainamide and disopyramide. Symptoms of dyspnea preceded chest X-ray abnormalities by months. The diagnosis was made following pulmonary function tests, chest CT scan, and an open lung biopsy.[Ref]

Ocular

Ocular side effects including diplopia, nystagmus, and blurred vision have been reported in up to 7.5% of patients.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have been uncommon, however, rash has been reported in up to 4.2% of patients. Rare cases of exfoliative dermatitis and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome have occurred. Diaphoresis, hot flashes, and dry skin have been reported.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including urinary hesitancy and retention have occurred rarely. Impotence and decreased libido have been reported.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects including psychosis and hallucinations have been reported.[Ref]

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Mexitil (mexiletine)." Boehringer-Ingelheim

2. "Multum Information Services, Inc. Expert Review Panel"

3. Stavenow L, Hanson A, Johansson BW (1979) "Mexiletine in treatment of ventricular arrhythmias." Acta Med Scand, 205, p. 411-5

4. Podrid PJ, Lown B (1981) "Mexiletine for ventricular arrhythmias." Am J Cardiol, 47, p. 895-902

5. Johansson BW, Stavenow L, Hanson A (1984) "Long-term clinical experience with mexiletine." Am Heart J, 107, p. 1099-102

6. Haggman DL, Maloney JD, Morant VA, et al. (1986) "Mexiletine therapy in patients with chronic drug-resistant malignant ventricular arrhythmias." Cleve Clin Q, 53, p. 171-9

7. Poole JE, Werner JA, Bardy GH, et al. (1986) "Intolerance and ineffectiveness of mexiletine in patients with serious ventricular arrhythmias." Am Heart J, 112, p. 322-6

8. Campbell RW (1987) "Mexiletine." N Engl J Med, 316, p. 29-34

9. Murray KT, Barbey JT, Kopelman HA, et al. (1989) "Mexiletine and tocainide: a comparison of antiarrhythmic efficacy, adverse effects, and predictive value of lidocaine testing." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 45, p. 553-61

10. Kerin NZ, Aragon E, Marinescu G, et al. (1990) "Mexiletine: long-term efficacy and side effects in patients with chronic drug-resistant potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias." Arch Intern Med, 150, p. 381-4

11. Adler JB, Goldberg RI (1990) "Mexiletine-induced pill esophagitis." Am J Gastroenterol, 85, p. 629-30

12. Monk JP, Brogden RN (1990) "Mexiletine: a review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic use in the treatment of arrhythmias." Drugs, 40, p. 374-411

13. Manolis AS, Deering TF, Cameron J, Estes NA, 3d (1990) "Mexiletine: pharmacology and therapeutic use." Clin Cardiol, 13, p. 349-59

14. Wulf BG (1983) "Mexiletine and tocainide: orally active congeners of lidocaine." Clin Pharm, 2, p. 340-6

15. Fenster PE, Comess KA (1986) "Pharmacology and clinical use of mexiletine." Pharmacotherapy, 6, p. 1-9

16. Mehta J, Conti CR (1982) "Mexiletine, a new antiarrhythmic agent, for treatment of premature ventricular complexes." Am J Cardiol, 49, p. 455-60

17. Chew CY, Collett J, Singh BN (1979) "Mexiletine: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in arrhythmias." Drugs, 17, p. 161-81

18. Cocco G, Strozzi C, Chu D, Pansini R (1980) "Torsades de pointes as a manifestation of mexiletine toxicity." Am Heart J, 100, p. 878-80

19. Nora MO, Chandrasekaran K, Hammill SC, Reeder GS (1989) "Prolongation of ventricular depolarization: ECG manifestation of mexiletine toxicity." Chest, 95, p. 925-8

20. Ravid S, Podrid PJ, Lampert S, Lown B (1989) "Congestive heart failure induced by six of the newer antiarrhythmic drugs." J Am Coll Cardiol, 14, p. 1326-30

21. Fasola GP, D'Osualdo F, de Pangher V, Barducci E (1984) "Thrombocytopenia and mexiletine." Ann Intern Med, 100, p. 162

22. Girmann G, Pees H, Scheurlen PG (1984) "Pseudothrombocytopenia and mexiletine." Ann Intern Med, 100, p. 767

23. Kikuchi K, Tsunoda T, Tagami H (1991) "Generalized drug eruption due to mexiletine hydrochloride: topical provocation on previously involved skin." Contact Dermatitis, 25, p. 70-1

24. Bero CJ, Rihn TL (1991) "Possible association of pulmonary fibrosis with mexiletine." DICP, 25, p. 1329-31

Further information

Mexiletine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.