Multiple Episodes of Cardiac Arrest Induced by Treatment With Ibogaine: A Case Report.
Cureus – June 01, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
A single, low dose of certain substances can trigger severe cardiac events. While ibogaine is explored for opioid dependence, a patient experienced multiple episodes of cardiac arrest, including polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and torsade de pointes, due to acquired long QT. This highlights the serious cardiotoxicity of ibogaine, even at minimal doses, underscoring its lethal potential.
Abstract
Opioid dependence is a common problem, and therapeutic alternatives are scarce and ineffective. Ibogaine, illegal in several countries, has been reported as a possible therapy in alternative clinics and it is also used as a recreational drug, despite its cardiotoxic potential, including QT prolongation. We report a case of long QT leading to multiple episodes of cardiac arrest after a single dose of ibogaine (200mg, 2.6mg/Kg) in a patient without structural heart disease. This case highlights the fact that even low doses of ibogaine can be lethal and warns us about the consequences of its use.