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.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on ibogaine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of acute opioid withdrawal with ibogaine. Patients undergoing opioid detoxification with ibogaine in non-medical settings | 1999 | Case series | n = 33 |
| A preliminary investigation of ibogaine: case reports and recommendations for further study. Individuals addicted to opiates | 1994 | Case series | n = 7 |
| Long-QT Syndrome Induced by the Antiaddiction Drug Ibogaine A 31-year-old woman | 2009 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Distribution of ibogaine and noribogaine in a man following a poisoning involving root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga shrub. 48-year-old Caucasian male with a history of drug abuse who died after ingesting... | 2006 | Case study | n = 1 |
| A case report SPECT study and theoretical rationale for the sequential administration of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. 31-year-old male military veteran with moderate alcohol use disorder | 2018 | Case study | n = 1 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
- How toxic is ibogaine? Clinical Toxicology 2016
- Changes in Withdrawal and Craving Scores in Participants Undergoing Opioid Detoxification Utilizing Ibogaine. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2018
- Ibogaine as a treatment for substance misuse: Potential benefits and practical dangers. Progress in Brain Research 2018
- The adverse events of ibogaine in humans: an updated systematic review of the literature (2015-2020). Psychopharmacology June 1, 2022
- Ibogaine/Noribogaine in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: ASystematic Review of the Current Literature Current Neuropharmacology October 20, 2022
and 6 more in the library
Cites 6
- Treatment of acute opioid withdrawal with ibogaine. American Journal on Addictions 1999
- A preliminary investigation of ibogaine: case reports and recommendations for further study. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 1994
- Medication Development of Ibogaine as a Pharmacotherapy for Drug Dependencea. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences May 1, 1998
- Mechanisms of Antiaddictive Actions of Ibogainea. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences May 1, 1998
- Long-QT Syndrome Induced by the Antiaddiction Drug Ibogaine New England Journal of Medicine January 14, 2009
and 1 more in the library