Open AccessA Case Report of Loperamide-Induced Ventricular Storm
Author(s) -
Jerome De Vera,
Hyungjin Ben Kim,
Antoine Sakr
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of investigative medicine high impact case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.247
H-Index - 10
ISSN - 2324-7096
DOI - 10.1177/2324709621990768
Subject(s) - loperamide , medicine , cardiotoxicity , torsades de pointes , cardiac toxicity , euphoriant , sudden cardiac death , qt interval , intensive care medicine , toxicity , anesthesia , cardiology , diarrhea , psychiatry
Loperamide is an easily accessible antidiarrheal medication. Unlike other medications in its class, loperamide is unique in that it causes euphoria at supratherapeutic levels due to its effect on opioid receptors. Unfortunately, with its growing abuse potential also comes increasing reports of cardiotoxicity including prolonged QT, torsades de pointes, and sudden cardiac death. We report a case of a 29-year-old female who presented with unstable arrhythmia that further progressed into electrical storm in the setting of loperamide toxicity. Due to its growing popularity and availability, it is important for clinicians to understand loperamide’s mechanisms for causing toxicity as well as how to appropriately treat its complications.