Bretylate

Bretylate: an antiarrhythmic agent that slows repolarization

Bretilate is an antiarrhythmic drug that slows repolarization and is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. It comes in the form of an injection solution and is manufactured by Wellcome Ltd and Glaxo Wellcome in the UK.

The international name of the active substance Bretylate is Bretyllium tosylate. It is also known by the synonym Ornid. Bretylate belongs to a group of antiarrhythmic drugs that slow down the repolarization of cardiac cells.

Indications for the use of Bretilate include ventricular fibrillation and flutter, ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia, as well as atrial flutter and fibrillation, including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

The drug is contraindicated in pheochromocytoma, acute cerebrovascular accident, hypotension, collapse, severe renal failure, aortic stenosis, severe forms of pulmonary hypertension, intoxication with cardiac glycosides, and also during pregnancy.

When using Bretilate, side effects may occur, such as hypotension, bradycardia, transient hypertension and an increased incidence of arrhythmias. It is also possible to provoke attacks of angina pectoris, a feeling of pressure behind the sternum, nausea, vomiting, headache, photophobia, and allergic reactions.

The interaction of Bretilate with other drugs may increase their toxicity, including cardiac glycosides, as well as the pressor effects of norepinephrine and dobutamine.

There are no data on cases of Bretilate overdose, but caution must be exercised when using it, especially in diseases with fixed cardiac output, such as aortic stenosis, pulmonary hypertension, pheochromocytoma. If renal function is impaired, the dosage should be reduced in accordance with the decrease in creatinine clearance.

In case of Bretylate overdose, hemodialysis can be used. Nursing mothers should stop breastfeeding during treatment. There are no data on the use of doses exceeding 5 mg/kg in children.

conclusions

Bretilate is an antiarrhythmic drug that slows repolarization and is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. It may be effective in the treatment of ventricular fibrillation and flutter, ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia, and atrial flutter and fibrillation. However, when using Bretilate, caution must be exercised and its use should be avoided if there are contraindications. If side effects occur, you should consult a doctor. The dosage of Bretilate must be determined individually for each patient.