Hemodialysis as an alternative treatment of mexiletine intoxication.

Abstract

Mexiletine is a class IB antiarrhythmic agent. Although it is primarily used in treating ventricular arrhythmias, recent indications for use of mexiletine include chronic and neuropathic pains. At high doses, mexiletine causes drowsiness, confusion, nausea, hypotension, sinus bradycardia, paresthesia, seizures, bundle branch block, atrioventricular heart block, ventricular arrhythmias, asystole, cardiovascular collapse, and coma. A 23-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with intentional ingestion of high-dose mexiletine. Despite decontamination and supportive treatment, his vitals deteriorated during the observation period; and he developed stupor and dysarthria. Patient then underwent hemodialysis. His vital signs and overall condition improved rapidly following hemodialysis treatment. In this case report, we aimed to emphasize hemodialysis as a useful alternative therapy for severe mexiletine intoxications.

• Authors: Emine Akıncı, Yücel Yüzbaşıoglu, Figen Coşkun
• Journal: The American journal of emergency medicine (Am J Emerg Med) Vol. 29 Issue 9 Pg. 1235.e5-6 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1532-8171 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20971596 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
• Mexiletine

Topics

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (poisoning)
• Drug Overdose
• Humans
• Male
• Mexiletine (poisoning)
• Renal Dialysis (methods)
• Suicide, Attempted
• Young Adult