Journal Published Online: 01 September 1995
Volume 40, Issue 5

Unsuspected Self-Poisoning with Flecainide and Alcohol

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

The death of a 23-year-old man by suicidal flecainide and alcohol poisoning is reported. Flecainide was identified by ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Flecainide levels, quantitated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection were: femoral blood 7.3 mg/L, urine 117 mg/L, stomach contents 19 mg and liver 302 mg/kg. Ethanol levels in femoral blood, urine and vitreous humor were 107, 136 and 113 mg%, respectively. The importance of carefully considering all the available pathological and toxicological data, together with the past medical history and circumstances surrounding the death in poisoning cases is emphasized.

Author Information

Sadler, DW
Dundee Royal Infirmary, Dundee, Scotland
Quigley, C
Tayside Police Forensic Science Laboratory, Dundee, Scotland
Pages: 3
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS15408J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15408J