The Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity Website and App

Heroin (intravenous)

Ventilatory depression / respiratory arrest amenable to resuscitation measures and the specific antidote naloxone (PMID 26370638) is the most common complication of the substance. Acute, flash pulmonary edema is a classic complication of i.v. heroin. Benzodiazepine and alcohol (ethanol) may be cotoxicants in heroin-associated deaths (PMID 2391481). The development of PAH should raise the suspicion of pill excipient-induced vasculopathy and consequent PHT. Buprenorphine diversion may lead to that complication. Major contribution at PMID 5339228

Frequency - Incidence

Incidence of cardiac adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as assessed by number of reported/published cases in the literature. Red digits in stars indicate: 0 = Very rare, questionable signal · 1 = < 10 cases · 2 = 10-50 cases · 3 = 50–100 cases · 4 = 100-200 cases · 5 = >200 cases

Evidence level/grade

Evidence level for cardiac adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as estimated using Hill’s (1965), Naranjo’s (1981), and Bégaud’s (1985) criteria applied to published cases. Blue digits in stars indicate: 0 = Questionable · 1 = Low · 2 = Moderate · 3 = Robust · 4 = Definite · 5 = Unquestionable, pathognomonic

No patterns are linked to this drug.