Mexitil (Mexiletine)

Use Mexitil as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Mexitil with food or antacids.
• Take Mexitil regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking Mexitil at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Continue to use Mexitil even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Mexitil, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Mexitil.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; clumsiness; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness or lightheadedness; headache; heartburn; incoordination; nausea; nervousness; stomach discomfort; tremor; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision problems; chest pain; fainting; fever; irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat; severe dizziness or lightheadedness; severe stomach pain; sore throat; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

• Mexitil may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Mexitil. Using Mexitil alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Mexitil without checking with your doctor.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Mexitil.
• LAB TESTS, including liver and heart function, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Mexitil with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Mexitil, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Mexitil during pregnancy. Mexitil is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Mexitil.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: caffeine, theophylline, drugs that may affect the acid level of urine (such as acetazolamide, sodium bicarbonate, large doses of vitamin C).

Other medications can affect the removal of mexiletine from your body, which may affect how mexiletine works. Examples include cimetidine, fluvoxamine, propafenone, rifampin, anti-seizure drugs (such as phenytoin, phenobarbital), among others.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.