Ethmozine suppression of single and repetitive ventricular premature depolarizations during therapy: documentation of efficacy and long-term safety.

Overview

This study reports a total of 1677 patient days' experience with the use of Ethmozine to suppress ventricular premature depolarizations. A total of 39 patients were studied on three placebo-controlled protocols. Ethmozine, given at a mean total daily dose of 830 mg +/- 318 mg on a dosing schedule of every 8 hours, resulted in a mean plasma Ethmozine level of 0.42 micrograms/ml +/- 0.28 micrograms/ml. In addition to reducing ventricular premature depolarizations from 11,049/24 hr during placebo to 2231/24 hr during Ethmozine therapy (80% reduction), the drug also resulted in a 95% reduction in paired forms and a 99% reduction in total runs of ventricular tachycardia. Ethmozine is extraordinarily well tolerated with only mild side effects of dizziness, perioral tingling, and euphoria, with no serious toxicity requiring discontinuation of therapy. Ethmozine demonstrates great potential as an effective drug in suppressing ventricular premature depolarizations with minimal side effects or toxicity.