Multiple Episodes of Cardiac Arrest Induced by Treatment With Ibogaine: A Case Report.
David Mestre, Alexandra Paula, Francisco P Gil, José Vaz
Cureus June 1, 2024 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.63487 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | Patient without structural heart disease |
| Intervention | Ibogaine |
| Dose | 200mg, 2.6mg/Kg |
| Topics | Ibogaine |
| Keywords | Acquired long qt Cardiac arrest Opioid dependence Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia Torsade de pointes Ibogaine cardiotoxicity ibogaine Serious cardiotoxicity Lethal potential Low dose Minimal doses Certain substances Severe cardiac events |
| Key findings | Even a low dose of ibogaine can cause lethal cardiac arrhythmias, including multiple episodes of cardiac arrest due to acquired long QT. |
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.
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 3
- Rare but relevant: Ibogaine and cardiovascular complications-prolonged QT interval and ventricular arrhythmias. Addiction January 20, 2026
- Not Losing Momentum: Cross-Sectional Insights into Ibogaine Clinical Trials. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs April 18, 2025
- Ibogaine: Revisiting an Ancient Alkaloid for Modern Opioid Dependence Substance Use & Misuse December 17, 2025
Cites 10
- A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogue with therapeutic potential. Nature 2021
- The ibogaine medical subculture. Journal of Ethnopharmacology January 4, 2008
- Ibogaine treatment outcomes for opioid dependence from a twelve-month follow-up observational study. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 2018
- Ibogaine in the treatment of substance dependence. Current Drug Abuse Reviews March 1, 2013
- 18-Methoxycoronaridine (18-MC) and ibogaine: comparison of antiaddictive efficacy, toxicity, and mechanisms of action. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences September 1, 2000
and 5 more in the library