Atropine can prevent and reverse the negative chronotropic effect of fingolimod in healthy volunteers

* Atropine can prevent and reverse the negative chronotropic effect of fingolimod in healthy volunteers, according to US-based researchers. In part one of their crossover study, 12 healthy volunteers received oral fingolimod 5mg plus either IV atropine or placebo concurrently, on days 1 and 2 of period one; the alternate treatment was administered during period two. In part two of the study, 12 healthy volunteers received fingolimod, and 4 hours later, received atropine or placebo as in part one. Concurrent administration of atropine resulted in a heart rate nadir of 66 beats/min, compared with a nadir of 51 beats/min when fingolimod was administered with placebo. Administration of atropine 4 hours after fingolimod administration reversed the negative chronotropic effect of fingolimod.