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Bretylium


Bretylium
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(2-bromophenyl)methyl-ethyl-dimethyl-ammonium
Identifiers
CAS number	59-41-6
ATC code	C01BD02
PubChem	2431
DrugBank	APRD00830
Chemical data
Formula	C₁₁H₁₇Br N⁺
Mol. mass	243.163 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	NA
Protein binding	NA
Metabolism	None
Half life	7-8 hours
Excretion	Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	C(AU) C(US)
Legal status	℞-only(US)
Routes	IV, IM

Bretylium (also bretylium tosylate) blocks the release of noradrenaline from the peripheral sympathetic nervous system, and is used in emergency medicine, cardiology, & other specialties for the acute management of ventricular tachycardia & ventricular fibrillation. It is contraindicated in patients with AV (atrioventricular) heart block or digoxin toxicity. Bretylium is only used in an ICU setting and should not be used elsewhere due to its dramatic actions and its predominant side effect of hypotension.

Additional recommended knowledge

v • d • e Antiarrhythmic agents (C01B)
class Ia	Ajmaline • Disopyramide • Prajmaline • Procainamide • Quinidine • Sparteine
class Ib	Aprindine • Lidocaine • Mexiletine • Tocainide
class Ic	Encainide • Flecainide • Lorcainide • Moricizine • Propafenone
class II	Propranolol • Metoprolol • Nadolol • Atenolol • Acebutolol • Pindolol see Beta blockers (C07)
class III	Amiodarone • Bretylium tosylate • Bunaftine • Dofetilide • Ibutilide • Sotalol
class IV	Verapamil • Diltiazem see Calcium channel blockers (C08)
class V	Adenosine • Atropine • Digoxin