Journal Published Online: 01 March 1994
Volume 39, Issue 2

Postmortem Clomipramine: Therapeutic or Toxic Concentrations?

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Postmortem blood and liver concentrations of clomipramine were determined in ten cases by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Blood concentrations ranged from 0.21 to 4.9 mg/L, and liver concentrations from 7.0 to 320 mg/kg. Two cases associated with clomipramine toxicity were clearly differentiated from other cases by the analysis of liver. The concentrations of clomipramine in these two cases were 3.3 and 1.8 mg/L in blood, and 280 and 320 mg/kg in liver. The liver concentrations were 10 to 30 fold greater in the deaths associated with drug toxicity compared with the other cases. One case, where cardiac blood was collected in place of femoral blood, showed a high blood concentration (4.9 mg/L), but an arguably therapeutic liver concentration (13 mg/kg). The analysis of femoral blood together with liver provides the best guide as to the significance of post-mortem clomipramine concentrations.

Author Information

McIntyre, IM
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, and Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
King, CV
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, and Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Cordner, SM
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, and Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Drummer, OH
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, and Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Pages: 8
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Stock #: JFS13620J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13620J