Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Ventricular Arrhythmias Associated With Over-the-Counter and Recreational Opioids
Authors' conclusion
The nonprescription drugs loperamide and mitragynine are associated with disproportionate reports of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia in North America.
Study context
- Population
- Adverse event reports in North American databases (FAERS, CAERS, Canada Vigilance Adverse Reaction (CVAR)), 2015–2021
- Comparison
- Opioids: ventricular arrhythmia reporting
- Outcome
- Ventricular arrhythmia reports (FAERS)
Methodological detailsdisproportionality analysis of adverse event reporting databases, FAERS primary analysis, CAERS and CVAR confirmatory, positive control: methadone, negative controls: buprenorphine, naltrexone
- Disproportionality analysis of adverse event reporting databases
- FAERS primary analysis
- CAERS and CVAR confirmatory
- Positive control: methadone
- Negative controls: buprenorphine, naltrexone
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
| Group | Value | Proportional reporting ratio (PRR) | Chi-square | Fatalities | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methadone | 1,163 events | 6.6 (95% CI: 6.2-7.0) | 5,456 | 852 (73%) | |
| Loperamide | 1,008 events | 3.2 (95% CI: 3.0-3.4) | 1,537 | 371 (37%) | |
| Mitragynine | 46 events | 8.9 (95% CI: 6.7-11.7) | 315 | 42 (91%) |
Value
Methadone1,163 events
Loperamide1,008 events
Mitragynine46 events
Proportional reporting ratio (PRR)
Methadone6.6 (95% CI: 6.2-7.0)
Loperamide3.2 (95% CI: 3.0-3.4)
Mitragynine8.9 (95% CI: 6.7-11.7)
Chi-square
Methadone5,456
Loperamide1,537
Mitragynine315
Fatalities
Methadone852 (73%)
Loperamide— not stated in the abstract
Mitragynine— not stated in the abstract
Deaths
Methadone— not stated in the abstract
Loperamide371 (37%)
Mitragynine42 (91%)
Further findings
Confirmatory databases (CVAR, CAERS)
- Signals similar in CVAR and CAERS
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Ventricular Arrhythmias Associated With Over-the-Counter and Recreational Opioids. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 13 June 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →