Citation

Husain Z, Hussain K, Nair R, Steinman R. Cardiol. J. 2010; 17(5): 509-511.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Via Medica)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20865683

Abstract

The histamine I receptor antagonist diphenhydramine is a freely available, over the counter medication for sleep and the most frequently used antihistamine drug. It inhibits the fast sodium channels and, at higher concentrations, the repolarising potassium channels, particularly Ikr which leads to prolongation of the action potential and the QT interval. The toxicity of diphenhydramine is dose-dependent, with a critical dose limit of 1.0 g. We report a case of a young woman who consumed more than 3 g of diphenhydramine in the setting of alcohol intoxication and developed QTc prolongation with nonsustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. These changes reverted to normal with supportive treatment. An overdose of diphenhydramine with concomitant alcohol use can induce torsade de pointes in an otherwise normal heart.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Adult; Female; Drug Overdose; Suicide, Attempted; Electrocardiography; Alcoholic Intoxication; Diphenhydramine; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Long QT Syndrome; Torsades de Pointes