Astemizole-induced ventricular arrhythmias: an unexpected cause of convulsions

Antihistamines are commonly used drugs. The more recent additions to the formulary are less sedative, but have been implicated as a cause of ventricular arrhythmias. We report a case in which a deliberate overdose of astemizole was associated with Mobitz type two heart block and prolongation of the QT interval, causing the so-called torsade-de-pointes ventricular tachycardia.