Analytical Approaches in Fatal Intoxication Cases Involving New Synthetic Opioids

Fatal Methanol Intoxication – Two Exceptional Cases

Poisonings from toxic alcohols, such as methanol (MeOH) are a serious toxicological concern worldwide. In an endemic methanol poisoning in 2012 in the Czech Republic 121 subjects had consumed adulterated beverages and 41 died from the poisoning. An additional 20 subjects still suffer from visual/CNS sequelae [1]. In addition to mass poisonings single cases of methanol poisoning had been publish...

[3 fatal cases of benzene intoxication].

Comparing fatal cases involving U-47700.

U-47700 (3,4-dichloro-N-[2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]N-methylbenzamide) is a novel compound with opioid properties, developed by Upjohn in the 1970s and derived from the earlier opioid analgesic AH-7921 (3,4-dichloro-N{[1-(dimethylamino)-cyclohexyl]methyl}benzamide) [1]. U-47700 is a structural isomer of AH-7921 [2]. AH-7921, which possesses the same potency as morphine, was first identified in...

Fatal colchicine intoxication

Colchicine is an alkaloid extracted from autumnal Colchicum plant which is used primarily for its anti-inflammatory therapy effect. Acute intoxication with colchicine is uncommon but often severe and results in multiple visceral organ dysfunctions. The intoxication severity and mortality are directly depending on the ingested dose. The treatment is manly symptomatic. However, the development of...

Fatal intoxication with naftidrofuryl.

A 52-year-old man was found dead in his bed. He had financial and psychosocial problems like separation from his wife and children or unemployment due to alcoholism. Under treatment of disulfiram he was presently abstinent from alcohol. As he had suffered from epileptic seizures and dizziness, he received valproic acid and the vasodilator naftidrofuryl, respectively. Autopsy showed no morpholog...