1Mexiletine was given to 156 patients by intravenous or oral routes of administration. 2 There was great interpatient variation in kinetics and plasma concentrations with both routes of administration. 3 The mean volume of distribution was 6.63 1/kg. The mean plasma elimination half-life after chronic oral therapy was 11.31 h.4 Plasma concentrations between 0.75 and 2.00 gg/ml were usually effective. Within this therapeutic range severe side effects were uncommon. 5Plasma concentrations within this range were achieved in 72% of patients when doses of 10-14 mg-' kg-l day were given orally.

SUMMARY Forty-eight patients with ischaemic heart disease received oral mexiletine for the control or prevention of ventricular arrhythmias.

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