METHADONE - A CAUSE OF DEATH

• NCJ Number: 12751
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1974) Pages: 64-71
• Author(s): R J SEAGL; R L CATHERMAN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc for Testing and Materials
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

OBSERVATIONS MADE IN CORRELATING THE SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES, AUTOPSY, AND TOXICOLOGIC FINDINGS IN DEATHS DUE TO METHADONE.

Abstract

NINETY CASES OF DEATHS INVOLVING METHADONE WERE REVIEWED. OF THESE, 33 WERE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO AN ADVERSE EFFECT OF METHADONE. ELEVEN DEATHS FOLLOWED THE INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF METHADONE AND 22 FOLLOWED THE INGESTION OF METHADONE. THERE WERE OVERLAPPING BUT DISTINCT DIFFERENCES IN THE MODE OF DEATH, THE TOXICOLOGIC FINDINGS, AND THE PULMONARY FINDINGS, DEPENDING UPON THE ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION. THE AUTHORS CHOSE TO CONSIDER ALL DEATHS DUE TO METHADONE, REGARDLESS OF THE ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION, AS 'ADVERSE REACTIONS TO NARCOTIC DRUGS'. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)