NCJ Number
183303
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 1 Dated: January 1999 Pages: 193-196
Date Published
January 1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A study of two drug overdose cases and several cases involving the therapeutic use of the antidepressant venlafaxine focused on the distribution and redistribution of this drug within the body.
Abstract
The research took place in Australia. The study used high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection to examine blood, live, bile vitreous humor, urine, and gastric contents. Blood concentrations of venlafaxine in the 2 overdose cases were 53 milligrams per liter and 78 milligrams per liter. No other drug or alcohol was found during toxicological analyses; the cause of death in both cases was considered to be venlafaxine poisoning. In addition, comparison of venlafaxine concentrations in blood samples taken at different times after death revealed increases in concentrations over time. This finding suggested the possible postmortem redistribution of venlafaxine. Tables and 15 references (Author abstract modified)