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Research-Article

Fatal Ephedrine Intoxication

R Backer, Ph.D.,

R Backer, Ph.D.

¹

Laboratory director, toxicologists

, respectively,

Harrison Laboratories, Inc.

Midland, TX

.

Department of Pathology Medical College of Virginia

Box 0165 MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298-0165

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D Tautman, B.S.,

D Tautman, B.S.

¹

Laboratory director, toxicologists

, respectively,

Harrison Laboratories, Inc.

Midland, TX

.

Department of Pathology Medical College of Virginia

Box 0165 MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298-0165

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PubMed

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S Lowry, M.S.,

S Lowry, M.S.

¹

Laboratory director, toxicologists

, respectively,

Harrison Laboratories, Inc.

Midland, TX

.

Department of Pathology Medical College of Virginia

Box 0165 MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298-0165

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PubMed

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CM Harvey, M.D.,

CM Harvey, M.D.

²

Forensic pathologist

,

Jefferson County Morgue

,

Beaumont TX

.

Department of Pathology Medical College of Virginia

Box 0165 MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298-0165

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A Poklis, Ph.D.

A Poklis, Ph.D.

³

Professor

,

Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University

,

Richmond, VA

.

Department of Pathology Medical College of Virginia

Box 0165 MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298-0165

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Author and Article Information

R Backer, Ph.D.

¹

Laboratory director, toxicologists

, respectively,

Harrison Laboratories, Inc.

Midland, TX

.

Department of Pathology Medical College of Virginia

Box 0165 MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298-0165

D Tautman, B.S.

¹

Laboratory director, toxicologists

, respectively,

Harrison Laboratories, Inc.

Midland, TX

.

Department of Pathology Medical College of Virginia

Box 0165 MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298-0165

S Lowry, M.S.

¹

Laboratory director, toxicologists

, respectively,

Harrison Laboratories, Inc.

Midland, TX

.

Department of Pathology Medical College of Virginia

Box 0165 MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298-0165

CM Harvey, M.D.

²

Forensic pathologist

,

Jefferson County Morgue

,

Beaumont TX

.

Department of Pathology Medical College of Virginia

Box 0165 MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298-0165

A Poklis, Ph.D.

³

Professor

,

Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University

,

Richmond, VA

.

Department of Pathology Medical College of Virginia

Box 0165 MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298-0165

J. Forensic Sci.. Jan 1997, 42(1): 157-159 (3 pages)

https://doi.org/10.1520/JFS14089J

Published Online: January 1, 1997

Abstract

A 28-year-old white female with a history of two prior suicide attempts was found dead in her home by her common law husband. Autopsy findings were unremarkable except for partially dissolved ephedrine tablets in the stomach contents. Quantitation of ephedrine was by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) following liquid/liquid extraction from alkaline samples and pentafluoropropionic acid derivatization. Significant toxicological finding included ephedrine; blood, 11 mg/L; liver, 24 mg/kg; kidney, 14 mg/kg; brain, 8.9 mg/kg; and amitriptyline; blood, 0.33 mg/kg; liver 7.8 mg/kg. The ephedrine values found far exceed those associated with therapeutic administration and are consistent with the few reported cases of severe ephedrine intoxication. The cause of death was determined to be fatal ephedrine intoxication and manner of death suicide.

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