[Torsade de pointes: a severe and unknown adverse effect in a patient taking methadone].

Praxis (Bern 1994)

Département de Médecine, CHUV, Lausanne.

Published: October 2003

We present here the case of a young drug-addicted patient, who showed a cardio-respiratory arrest attributed to a torsade de pointe-type ventricular arrhythmia. After excluding the usual causes of such arrhythmia, we concluded that it was consecutive to high-dose methadone intake. Methadone can induce torsade de pointe through two mechanisms: a QT interval prolongation secondary to a bradycardia or a prolongation of the myocardial action potential. When prescribing methadone, one should avoid association with other CYP3A4 inhibiting drugs and, if higher doses are necessary, perform regular EKG screening.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/0369-8394.92.41.1748DOI Listing

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