title: Ethchlorvynol ingestion in San Diego County: a 14-year review of cases with blood concentrations and findings.
abstract: Cases of nonfatal (51) and fatal (38) ingestions involving ethchlorvynol over a 14-year period (1975 through 1988) were reviewed in order to evaluate the current status of ingestion of this drug. In both series of cases men and women were involved approximately equally. Sixty-three percent of cases in both series occurred during the period 1975 through 1980. Most (78% of nonfatal and 89% of fatal) ingestions involved other drugs in addition to ethchlorvynol. Physical findings for nonfatal ingestions and causes of death for fatal ingestions are presented. Blood ethchlorvynol concentrations are discussed, and a composite of the average patient for each series is presented. Although ethchlorvynol abuse appears to be decreasing with time, it still occurs, and a search for this sedative-hypnotic agent should be included in the so-called "toxicology screen."
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of California Medical Center, San Diego 92103.
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D004984:Ethchlorvynol / Q000097:blood* / Q000506:poisoning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004984:Ethchlorvynol