Cardiac Arrhythmia Secondary to Loperamide Abuse and Toxicity

Loperamide abuse and cardiotoxicity

With increasing restrictions and safety protocols implemented in prescribing opioids, there has been an increased incidence of recreational abuse of over-thecounter medications, including loperamide. Loperamide is a peripherally-acting μ-opioid receptor agonist in the gastrointestinal tract which, if taken at high doses, can cross the blood-brain barrier to produce euphoria and analgesia effects.

Loperamide Induced Life Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmia

Loperamide is over-the-counter antidiarrheal agent acting on peripherally located μ opioid receptors. It is gaining popularity among drug abusers as opioid substitute. We report a case of a 46-year-old male that was presented after cardiac arrest. After ruling out ischemia, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary embolism, central nervous system pathology, sepsis, and other drug toxicity, we found out that p...

A Heart-Wrenching Case of Loperamide Toxicity

High-dose loperamide abuse–associated ventricular arrhythmias

Charles W. O’Connell, MD, Amir A. Schricker, MD, MS, Aaron B. Schneir, MD, Imir G. Metushi, PhD, Ulrika Birgersdotter-Green, MD, Alicia B. Minns, MD From the Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, Department of Emergency Medicine, Veterans Association San Diego, La Jolla, California, Division of Cardiovascular...

Cardiac toxicity secondary to long term treatment with chloroquine.

Chloroquine is frequently used to treat systemic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). With long term treatment, associated toxicity is well known, with retinopathy been the most common complication. Other chronic complications include skin disorders (hyperpigmentation), blood dyscrasias, corneal deposits, encephalopathy, neuropathy, myopathy, and impairment of audito...