Bretylium acts to elevate the threshold of ventricular fibrillation and to increase the duration of the action potential.
It is used in the treatment of malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
It comes in a 500mg 10ml ampoule, and is given 5mg per kg by rapid iv infusion. Administration can be repeated after 5 minutes, increasing to 10 mg per kg. The maximum dose is 40mg per kg.
Cautions include renal impairment and hypovolaemia. Contraindications include phaeochromocytoma.
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