Journal Published Online: 01 November 1994
Volume 39, Issue 6

A Fatality Due to Flurazepam

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A fatality attributed to suicidal ingestion of up to 2.2 grams of flurazepam is described. The deceased was a 52-year old female with a history of depression and suicidal attempts. No significant pathology was found at autopsy. Full toxicological analyses detected only flurazepam and metabolites in her tissues. The concentrations of flurazepam in femoral blood, liver, bile, vitreous humor and urine were 5.5 mg/L, 130 mg/kg, 33 mg/L, 1.3 mg/L and 3.3 mg/L, respectively. Analysis of gastric contents showed 600 mg of flurazepam. Desalkylflurazepam was also detected in blood, liver, bile and vitreous, but at much lower concentrations than the parent compound.

Author Information

McIntyre, IM
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, and Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Syrjanen, ML
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, and Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Lawrence, KL
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, and Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Dow, CA
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: 4
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Stock #: JFS13746J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13746J