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Pain management

Mexiletine

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction

Welcome to The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust pain management service. This leaflet will provide you and your relatives with information about a medication called mexiletine. It includes what it is for, how it is taken and its benefits and risks.

This leaflet is not meant to replace discussion between you and your doctor, but as a guide to be used in conjunction with what is discussed.

What is mexiletine?

It is a medicine used to treat persistent pain, particularly in people who have pain due to damaged nerves.

Why am I having mexiletine?

You have had a test using lignocaine by infusion. This has established that you can benefit from treatment with mexiletine for the pain you are experiencing. We have also established that it is unlikely to cause you major side effects.

What are the benefits?

It can help relieve persistent pain when weaker types of painkillers have not been effective.

What are the risks?

Mexiletine can cause side effects. These include feeling sick, becoming constipated and feeling faint.  Faintness can be caused by an irregular heartbeat, so if you do feel faint when taking this medication, you should see your GP immediately.

Other problems include drowsiness, confusion and unsteadiness.  On rare occasions, this drug has caused liver problems, accompanied by jaundice and inflammation of the liver.

Important: do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel drowsy.

If you feel unwell in any way, it is a good idea to tell your GP. You may have to stop the medication.

What do I need to do before I take it?

In order to make sure that you are well before starting this treatment, we will ask you to have a heart test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) and some blood tests.

How do I take mexiletine?

You will need to start taking mexiletine at a dose of one tablet (200mg) twice a day. When you need more tablets, you will need to get these from your GP. However, if you need an increased dose, this should be prescribed in the first instance from the pain clinic at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust.

What if I have problems?

You can contact the clinical nurse specialists in the pain management team (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) by:

Out of these hours, you will need to contact your GP or NHS 111.

Can I find out more?

The following website has more information about managing pain:

British Pain Society

https://www.britishpainsociety.org/british-pain-society-publications/patient-publications/

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, please contact the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on 01384 456111 and ask for the relevant department who issued this leaflet.

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Candice Baker, Ruth Carter, Kumar Vasappa. Review date: January 2023. Next review: October 2025. Version: 4. DGH ref: DGH/PIL/01237.