Cardiotoxicity from Loperamide Overdose: The Toxicologist Mindset
The Toxicologist Mindset series features real-life cases from the San Francisco Division of the California Poison Control System.
A 21-year-old man with history of opiate abuse was brought in by ambulance after 2 episodes of syncope and 1 episode of self-limited ventricular fibrillation. On initial presentation, the patient was found altered and unresponsive. His mental status improved after the administration of naloxone. On further history, the patient reported ingesting 50 -100 tablets of loperamide (2 mg) daily. A rhythm strip was obtained.