Contributory and Incidental Blood Concentrations in Deaths Involving Citalopram.

Contributory and Incidental Blood Concentrations in Deaths Involving Citalopram.
J Forensic Sci. 2012 Dec 27;
Authors: Darke S, Torok M, Duflou J
Abstract
All cases presenting to the New South Wales Department of Forensic Medicine between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2010 in which citalopram was detected were retrieved. A total of 348 cases were identified. Citalopram contributed to death in 21.0%, and was incidental in 79.0%. Cases in which citalopram was contributory to death had significantly higher blood citalopram concentrations than incidental cases (0.50 mg/L vs. 0.30 mg/L). Citalopram concentrations varied significantly by contributory status: sole citalopram toxicity (median = 1.30 mg/L), citalopram/other drug toxicity (0.50 mg/L), and incidental cases (0.30 mg/L). Citalopram concentrations also varied by suicide status, with the highest concentration found in suicides where citalopram contributed to death (0.70 mg/L) compared with 0.50 mg/L for nonsuicide cases where citalopram contributed to death. In almost all contributory cases (69/73), other psychoactive substances were also detected, most commonly benzodiazepines (47.9%), alcohol (45.2%), and opioids (40.1%).
PMID: 23278733 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - December 27, 2012 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Darke S, Torok M, Duflou J Tags: J Forensic Sci Source Type: research