Tocainide is an orally active class 1b antiarrhythmic agent that interferes with cardiac sodium channels and typically used to treat ventricular arrhythmias. It is used to treat conditions including sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular pre-excitation and cardiac dysrhythmias. Tocainide is a primary amine analog of lidocaine with antiarrhythmic properties useful in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. Tocainide, like lidocaine, produces dose dependent decreases in sodium and potassium conductance, thereby decreasing the excitability of myocardial cells. In experimental animal models, the dose-related depression of sodium current is more pronounced in ischemic tissue than in normal tissue. Tocainide is a Class I antiarrhythmic compound with electrophysiologic properties in man similar to those of lidocaine, but dissimilar from quinidine, procainamide, and disopyramide.Tocainide binds preferentially to the inactive state of the sodium channels. The antiarrhythmic actions are mediated through effects on sodium channels in Purkinje fibers. It also possesses some anticholinergic and local anesthetic properties. Side effects of tocainide include nausea, vomiting, headaches, feeling dizzy, or feeling hot and flushed.

Tocainide Sodium Channel Cardiac Muscle Relaxation Pathway References