A 35-year-old man died within 24 hours of ingesting an illegal aphrodisiac called "Stone," presenting with abdominal pain, bradycardia, hyperkalemia, and a positive digoxin test. The report notes the case resembles a six-case series from New York, 1993 to 1995.
Abstract
It wasn't the first time a New York City hospital saw a fatal case of aphrodisiac toxicity. In May, the New York Times reported that a 35-year-old man died after ingesting an illegal aphrodisiac sold under the street name “Stone” (or “Piedra,” Spanish for “stone”). He presented to a local emergency department 12 hours after ingestion complaining of abdominal pain. Evaluation revealed bradycardia, hyperkalemia, and a positive blood test for digoxin (although the patient was on no cardiac medication). According to the Times, he died within 24 hours despite initial improvement. This description is similar to a six-case series in New York from 1993 to 1995. (MMWR 1995;44:853.)