Mexitil®

heart

Mexiletine hydrochloride

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about MEXITIL.

It does not contain all available information. It does not take the place of
talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this information with your capsules. You may want to read it again
later.

You should ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your
medicine or if you have any concerns about taking MEXITIL.

What MEXITIL is used for

MEXITIL is used in the management of irregular heartbeats, a condition known
as ventricular arrhythmia. MEXITIL works by reducing the excitability of the
heart. This helps return the heartbeat to normal.

Your doctor will have explained why you are being treated with MEXITIL and
told you what dose to take. Follow these directions carefully, they may differ
from the information contained in this leaflet.

Before taking MEXITIL

When not to take MEXITIL

Only take MEXITIL if it has been prescribed for you by a doctor.

Never give it to someone else even if their symptoms seem to be the same as
yours.

Do not take MEXITIL if you are allergic to it or to any of the ingredients.
These ingredients are listed in full at the end of this leaflet (see
ingredients).

If you are uncertain as to whether you have, or have had, any of these
allergies you should raise those concerns with your doctor.

Do not take MEXITIL if you have experienced the following conditions:

A heart attack within the last 3 months,
Reduced heart function, known as decreased cardiac output,
Serious heart conditions, such as cardiogenic shock or atrio-ventricular
block,
An allergic reaction to local anaesthetics, for example lignocaine.

If you are uncertain as to whether you have, or have had, any of these
conditions, you should raise those concerns with your doctor.

You should never use MEXITIL after the EXPIRY DATE on the carton or blister
pack has passed.

You should never use MEXITIL if the packaging is torn or shows signs of
tampering.

Before you start taking MEXITIL

It is essential that your doctor knows your medical history before
prescribing MEXITIL.

Before taking MEXITIL, you must tell your doctor if you have, or have had,
any of the following conditions:

Chronic liver disease (known as cirrhosis) or impaired liver function,
Severe renal disease,
Low blood pressure,
Heart failure,
A heart condition resulting in a slow heartbeat (known as bradycardia),
Parkinson's disease.

If you are uncertain as to whether you have, or have had, any of these
conditions you should raise those concerns with your doctor.

Before taking MEXITIL you must tell your doctor if you are taking any other
medicines, obtained with or without a doctor's prescription. In particular you
must tell your doctor if you are taking:

Opiate analgesics, such as morphine,
Drugs that acidify or alkalise your urine,
Other drugs used to treat arrhythmias,
Drugs which are metabolised by the liver.

These medicines may be affected by MEXITIL or may affect how well MEXITIL
works. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any
of these medicines. They also have a more complete list of medicines to be
careful with or avoid while taking MEXITIL.

Pregnancy

You must tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or are likely to become
pregnant during the course of your medication.

Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking MEXITIL when
pregnant.

Breastfeeding

Ask for your doctor's advice if you are breastfeeding or likely to breastfeed
during the course of your medication.

As MEXITIL enters the breast milk, your doctor may recommend an alternate
method of feeding your child.

Taking MEXITIL

Recommended dose

The dose of MEXITIL may be different for each person and their medical
condition. Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take. The number of
capsules that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.

The initial dose is 400 mg of mexiletine. The maintenance dose is usually
200-250 mg of mexiletine 3 times daily, commencing 2 hours after the initial
dose.

The usual daily dose is between 600-800 mg in divided doses.

If your doctor has prescribed a different dose, you should ask for further
information from your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to take a dose

It is important to take MEXITIL as directed. If you miss a dose, take it as
soon as you remember. However, if you remember when it is almost time for your
next dose, take only your usual dose at that time. Do not take a double dose to
make up for the dose that you missed.

If you take too much (overdose)

Contact your doctor, pharmacist or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 0800
POISON or 0800 764766) immediately if you think that you or anyone else may have
taken too much MEXITIL, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Go to your doctor or Casualty at the nearest hospital immediately if any signs
of overdose are experienced. In addition to the symptoms listed under Side
effects, cardiac arrest and convulsions may occur as a result of severe
overdose.

While you are taking MEXITIL

Things to be careful of

Avoid consuming alcohol while taking MEXITIL.

In case of doubt, seek medical advice prior to taking this medicine.

Effects on ability to drive or operate machinery

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how MEXITIL affects
you.

MEXITIL may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Make sure you know how you react
to MEXITIL before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that
could be dangerous if you are dizzy or drowsy. If you drink alcohol, dizziness
or drowsiness may be worse.

Side effects

You should be aware that all prescription medicines carry some risks and that
all possible risks may not be known at this stage despite thorough testing. Your
doctor has weighed the risks of you taking MEXITIL against the benefits they
expect it will have for you.

Ask for the advice of your doctor or other medical staff if you have any
concerns about the effects of being treated with this medicine.

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

Chest pain,
Fast or irregular heart beat,
Shortness of breath,
Convulsions (seizures).

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.
These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the
medicine.

However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue
or are bothersome:

Dizziness or lightheadedness,
Heart burn,
Nausea and vomiting,
Constipation or diarrhoea,
Trembling or shaking of the hands,
Unsteadiness or difficulty in walking,
Blurred vision,
Headache,
Numbness or tingling of fingers and toes,
Skin rash,
Slurred speech,
Unpleasant taste.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any side effects
during or after treatment with MEXITIL, so that these may be properly treated.

In addition, unexpected effects, not listed above, can occur with any
medicine.

You should tell your doctor if you notice anything unusual, during or after
treatment with MEXITIL.

After taking MEXITIL

Storage

Leave all capsules in the blister pack until it is time to take a dose. The
blister packaging protects the capsules.

MEXITIL should be kept in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below
30°C. For example, do not leave your capsules in a car or store them in the
bathroom. Heat and dampness will damage the capsules.

Keep MEXITIL capsules where children cannot reach them.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking MEXITIL, the unused medicine should
be returned to your pharmacist so that it can be disposed of safely.

Product Description

What the capsules look like

MEXITIL is the brand name of the capsules prescribed for you by your doctor.
There are two different strengths.

MEXITIL M 50 Capsules: Red/purple hard gelatin capsule, imprinted with '50
mg' and the company symbol.

Available in packs of 100 capsules.

MEXITIL 200 mg Capsules: Red/red hard gelatin capsule, imprinted with '200
mg' and the company symbol.