ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 6

A Fatality Involving Clomipramine
Fraser, AD
Head, Toxicology Laboratory, Victoria General Hospital, Nova Scotia

Isner, AF
Chemist, Toxicology Laboratory, Victoria General Hospital, Nova Scotia

Moss, MA
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Province of Nova Scotia, Department of Attorney General, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and Director, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia

(Received 26 March 1985; accepted 10 July 1985)

Abstract

A fatality following ingestion of the tricyclic antidepressant clomipramine (Anafranil®), alprazolam (Xanax®), and ethyl alcohol is described. Clomipramine and N-desmethylclomipramine were quantitated by high performance liquid chromatography and alprazolam by gas liquid chromatography. Concentrations of clomipramine and N-desmethylclomipramine were: in blood—0.84 and 1.4 mg/L; in urine—0.56 and 0.62 mg/L. Alprazolam concentration in blood was 0.069 mg/L. Ethyl alcohol was measured by headspace gas chromatography and found to be 375, 385, and 435 mg/dL in blood, urine, and vitreous humor, respectively. These findings are compared to previous reports of clomipramine related fatalities and alprazolam toxicity combined with ethyl alcohol.

Keywords:
toxicology, clomipramine, alprazolam, chromatographic analysis, antidepressants

Paper ID: JFS12312J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12312J
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