Ventricular Tachycardia Storm Induced by Loperamide Abuse

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.