Journal Published Online: 01 September 2001
Volume 46, Issue 5

Fatal Overdose of Zopiclone in an Elderly Woman with Bronchogenic Carcinoma

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

The death of a 72-year-old woman with respiratory debilitation due to bronchogenic carcinoma is described. She overdosed herself with probably 200 to 350 mg of zopiclone. Zopiclone, quantitated by HPLC in femoral postmortem blood, was found to be 1.9 mg/L (4.8 µmol/L). This level is higher than many other zopiclone fatalities reported. We report a case where only zopiclone was detected.

Author Information

Bramness, JG
National Institute of Forensic Toxicology, Oslo, Norway
Arnestad, M
Institute of Forensic Pathology, National Hospital, Oslo, Norway
Karinen, R
National Institute of Forensic Toxicology, Oslo, Norway
Hilberg, T
National Institute of Forensic Toxicology, Oslo, Norway
Pages: 3
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Stock #: JFS15131J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15131J