Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0495
ISSN: 2161-0495
Galen Leung
550 1st Avenue, NBV 16 North 30, New York
Tanzania
Case Report
Conduction Disturbances and Ventricular Arrhythmias Associated with High-
Dose Loperamide
Author(s): Galen Leung, Diana Altshuler, Ronald Goldenberg, David Fridman and Eugene YuriditskyGalen Leung, Diana Altshuler, Ronald Goldenberg, David Fridman and Eugene Yuriditsky
Although loperamide has been widely used for the treatment of diarrhea, there is growing popularity over its abuse potential in alleviating opioid-withdrawal symptoms and achieving euphoria. Toxic levels of loperamide have been associated with life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias and cardiac arrest. We report a case of high-dose loperamide ingestion in a patient presenting initially with unstable bradycardia followed by episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and an unmasked Brugada ECG pattern. This is the first such report of the Brugada pattern being unmasked on ECG with loperamide ingestion. The patient stabilized with supportive care without the need for inotropic support. We discuss potential mechanisms of toxicity leading to conduction abnormalities and provide a literature review of all published cases of loperamide toxicity to describe proposed treatment opt.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2161-0495.1000309