Ethmozin, a new antiarrhythmic drug for suppressing ventricular premature complexes.

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Abstract
Ethmozin, a phenothiazine derivative, is an antiarrhythmic drug sensitized in the USSR. Preliminary data suggest that it is effective against a diversity of ectopic arrhythmias. The present study, carried out in the USSR, assesses efficacy and patient tolerance of this new drug. Patients (37) with chronic, persistent, frequent and symptomatic ventricular premature complexes (VPC) were studied. VPC were exposed by 24 h ambulatory monitoring and exercise stress testing. Two drug schedules were used. Group 1, consisting of 11 patients, received 225 mg/day of ethmozin; group 2, consisting of 26 patients, received 600 mg/day. Acute drug testing with a single large dose of ethmozin was followed by multiple dosing for a minimum of 4 days. Placebo was given in a single-blind fashion only to responders. Only 2 patients in group 1 had a significant reduction in VPC as evaluated by both monitoring and exercise testing. Patients (14) in group 2 (54%) showed striking suppression of VPC. Mild and transient effects were encountered in 4 of the 37 patients. Ethmozin appears to be a well-tolerated, relatively effective agent for controlling VPC.