Apremex 150mg Capsule is an antiarrhythmic medication containing the active ingredient Mexiletine. This medication is used to treat irregular heart rhythms, also known as arrhythmias. It also helps to treat the symptoms of myotonia in adults who have non-dystrophic myotonic disorders (conditions that result from genetic defects that affect muscle function). These disorders are mainly caused by muscle-related symptoms rather than being caused by a specific type of muscular dystrophy. Myotonia is a medical term that refers to a condition where muscles have difficulty relaxing after they've been used. This can lead to stiffness or delayed relaxation of muscles.
If you have had a heart attack (myocardial infarction), this drug is contraindicated for you. Before beginning treatment with Apremex 150mg, inform your doctor if you have any heart, liver, kidney problems, low or high potassium blood levels, low magnesium blood levels and epilepsy. This drug can impact the nervous system and may need to be used cautiously in individuals with seizure disorders. If you have an allergy to any local anesthetics, which are a class of medications that numb a specific area of the body, you should not take this medicine. The use of this drug is not advised for children and adults under 18 years of age.
While taking this medicine, reducing your caffeine intake by half is recommended. This is because Apremex 150mg can increase the levels of caffeine in your blood. High levels of caffeine can lead to side effects like jitteriness, increased heart rate, and other adverse effects. By reducing your caffeine intake, you can help prevent these interactions. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspect pregnancy, or planning to become pregnant. This drug can pass into breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding is not recommended while undergoing treatment with this drug.
Uses of Apremex 150mg Capsule
Therapeutic Effects of Apremex 150mg Capsule
Apremex 150mg Capsule works by blocking sodium channels in heart and nerve cells. This action helps prevent certain signals in the heart that could lead to an irregular heartbeat. As a result, this medication restores a normal heart rhythm, promoting a regular and steady heartbeat.
Interaction of Apremex 150mg Capsule with other drugs
Inform your physician about all your medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications such as quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide, ajmaline, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, moricizine, and amiodarone may interact with Apremex 150mg Capsule and reduce effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.
More Information about Apremex 150mg Capsule
How to consume Apremex 150mg Capsule
Take the Apremex 150mg Capsule as advised by your physician. Do not crush, chew, or open the medicine. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking the capsule if your doctor advises you to stop.
Safety Advices for Apremex 150mg Capsule
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, suspecting, or planning for the pregnancy, report to your doctor before starting the treatment with Apremex 150mg Capsule.
Breast Feeding
Apremex 150mg Capsule can pass into breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding is not recommended while undergoing treatment with this drug.
Lungs
Apremex 150mg Capsule should be cautiously used in patients with lung diseases. Inform your physician if you have lung disease before starting the treatment.
Liver
Apremex 150mg Capsule should be cautiously used in patients with severe liver diseases. Dose adjustments are necessary. Inform your doctor if you have liver issues before initiating the therapy.
Alcohol
It is unknown whether consuming alcohol interacts with Apremex 150mg Capsule. Please consult your doctor for more advice.
Driving
Driving vehicles or operating machinery while taking Apremex 150mg Capsule is unsafe because in rare cases it may cause tiredness, confusion, and blurred vision in some individuals.
Side Effects of Apremex 150mg Capsule
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Severe
- Allergic reaction
- Convulsions (fits)
- Speech disorders
- Liver injury
- Oesophagus injury
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Confusion
- Double vision
- Disorders of heart rhythm
- Collapse
- Slowed heart rate
Common
- Vertigo
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Acne
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain
- Low blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Flushing
- Headache
- Increased heart rate
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Pain in extremities
- Paresthesia
- Sleepiness
- Tremors
Word of Advice
Apremex 150mg Capsule can cause stomach upset. To minimize this, your doctor may advise you to take the medication with food or antacids. Follow your doctor's recommendations on when and how to take the medication. Maintain proper hydration by drinking enough water throughout the day. Staying hydrated can help support your overall health and the effectiveness of your medications.
FAQs
Q 1. What is myotonia, and how does Apremex 150mg Capsule help with it?
Myotonia refers to genetic defects that affect muscle functioning, causing muscle stiffness and difficulty relaxing after contraction. Apremex 150mg Capsule can alleviate severe myotonia by blocking sodium channels in muscles, which can help reduce muscle stiffness.
Q 2. Can Apremex 150mg Capsule treat both slow and fast heart rhythms?
Apremex 150mg Capsule can be used to treat both slow and fast heart rhythms. It helps restore a regular and steady heart rhythm, regardless of whether the heart rate is too slow (bradycardia) or too fast (tachycardia).
Q 3. Are there any common side effects Apremex 150mg Capsule?
Some common side effects of Apremex 150mg Capsule may include nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, dizziness, tremors, shaky feeling, blurred vision, and coordination problems.
Q 4. Is Apremex 150mg Capsule a local anesthetic as well?
Apremex 150mg Capsule is considered both an antiarrhythmic medication and a local anesthetic. Its local anesthetic properties are related to its ability to block sodium channels, which can help reduce pain and muscle stiffness.
Q 5. Can Apremex 150mg Capsule interact with other medications?
Apremex 150mg Capsule can interact with other medications, including other antiarrhythmics, medications affecting the liver, and drugs that can prolong the QT interval (a measure of heart rhythm). Inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking to avoid serious interactions.
Fact Box of Apremex 150mg Capsule
Molecule name: Mexiletine | Therapeutic class: Antiarrhythmics |
Pharmacological class: Group-1B antiarrhythmics | Indications: 1. Treatment of arrhythmias 2. Non-dystrophic myotonic disorders |