Ventricular Tachycardia Storm Induced by Loperamide Abuse

Cureus. 2019 Jan 29;11(1):e3981. doi: 10.7759/cureus.3981.

Abstract

A recent increase in the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias has been observed with the consumption of large dosages of the anti-diarrheal agent, loperamide. Our case is unique in that our patient not only displayed ventricular tachycardia (VT) but sustained VT (known as a VT storm). In this era of the opioid crisis, clinicians should be aware of all of the over-the-counter medications that have opioid-like side effects.

Keywords: loperamide; opioid crisis; ventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports