Toxicology and Characteristics of Fatal Oxycodone Toxicity Cases in New South Wales, Australia 1999-2008

• NCJ Number: 234656
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2011 Pages: 690-693
• Author(s): Shane Darke, Ph.D.; Johan Duflou, M.Med.Path; Michelle Torok, M.Soc.Sc.
• Date Published: May 2011
• Length: 4 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Australian Dept of Health and Ageing
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

All cases of fatal oxycodone toxicity presenting to the New South Wales Department of Forensic Medicine over the period January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2008, were retrieved.

Abstract

A total of 70 cases were identified. The mean age was 48.9 years, 58.6 percent were men, 21.4 percent were suicides, and in 30 percent oxycodone had not been prescribed to the decedent. Injecting drug users constituted 27.1 percent of cases, and oxycodone tablets were injected immediately prior to death by 21.4 percent. The mean blood oxycodone concentration was 0.40 mg/L (range 0.06-53.00 mg/L). In all cases, psychoactive substances other than oxycodone were also detected, most frequently hypnosedatives (68.6 percent), other opioids (54.3 percent), antidepressants (41.4 percent), and alcohol (32.9 percent). Preexisting systemic disease was common: cardiovascular (64.2 percent), pulmonary (49.3 percent), hepatic (66.7 percent), and renal (43.9 percent). (Published Abstract)