High-Dose Propafenone Overdoses: A Case with Mortality and Treatment Approaches

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 3, 257 - 261, 30.08.2025

Eser Uyanik , Ömer Yusuf Erdurmuş

Abstract

Propafenone is an antiarrhythmic drug used in the treatment of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Fatal poisoning is rarely described and the number of cases in the literature is quite small. When taken in high doses, it may cause serious rhythm disturbances and death, especially on the cardiovascular system. In this case report, the effect of IV lipid therapy and other treatment modalities in a patient who took high dose propafenone for suicidal purposes is discussed.
We report a case of propafenone overdose in which the patient presented with loss of consciousness, tonic-clonic seizure, and widened QRS complex after ingestion of a high dose of propafenone.
This case highlights the potential for serious cardiotoxicity with propafenone poisoning. Intoxication with sodium channel blockers should be considered in patients with coma, seizures, hypotension, pulseless electrical activity and acidosis.
Early diagnosis and primary detoxification can provide life-saving interventions. However, in cases of late hospital admission and overdose, or suicidal ingestion, the effectiveness of the for mentioned treatments may decrease. Therefore, it is important to recognize the case and keep propafenone poisoning in mind.

Keywords

Cardiotoxicity , poisoning , propafenone

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