Internet-purchased ibogaine toxicity confirmed with serum, urine, and product content levels.
Charles W O'Connell, Roy R Gerona, Matthew W Friesen, Binh T Ly
The American journal of emergency medicine July 1, 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2014.12.023 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A 33-year-old man who overdosed on ibogaine |
| Intervention | ibogaine |
| Topics | Ibogaine |
| Keywords | Ibogaine toxicity ibogaine Health risks Heart complications Overdose Severe symptoms Altered mental status Toxic effects Elimination process Body processes it Growing use Detailed observation Vital insights Medical understanding |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | Ibogaine overdose caused transient QT interval prolongation and other toxic effects that resolved as the substance cleared, with nonlinear elimination kinetics and detection of its active metabolite noribogaine. |
Abstract
Ibogaine, a psychotropic indole alkaloid, is gaining popularity among medical subcultures for its purported anti addictive properties. Its use has been associated with altered mental status, ataxia, gastrointestinal distress, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden and unexplained deaths.Its pharmacokinetics in toxic states is not well understood. Case report:A 33-year-old man overdosed on ibogaine in an attempt to quit his use of heroin. He developed altered state of consciousness, tremor, ataxia,nausea, vomiting, and transient QT interval prolongation, which all remitted as he cleared the substance. Ibogaine was confirmed in his urine and serum with a peak serum concentration of 377 ng/mL. Nonlinear elimination kinetics and a formula match to its active metabolite noriobgaine were observed as well. This case presents the unique description of serial serum concentrations as well as urine and product-confirmed ibogaine toxicity with transient toxin-related QT interval prolongation.