Analysis of 2-hydroxyimipramine in an imipramine-related fatality.
A fatality following ingestion of the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine (Novopramine), acetaminophen, and ethyl alcohol is described. Imipramine, desipramine, acetaminophen, and 2-hydroxyimipramine were quantitated by high performance liquid chromatography, and ethyl alcohol by gas liquid chromatography. Concentrations of imipramine, desipramine, 2-hydroxyimipramine, and acetaminophen were: in blood--9.0, 1.1, 3.9, and 11 mg/L; in urine--92, 14, and 42 mg/L (acetaminophen not quantitated in urine). Ethyl alcohol concentration in blood was less than 10 mg/dL and 105 mg/dL in the urine by headspace gas chromatography. These findings are compared to previous reports of imipramine-related fatalities. To our knowledge, this is the first fatality reported involving imipramine where analysis included quantitation of 2-hydroxyimipramine in blood and urine.
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning; D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000378:metabolism; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; C033803:2-hydroxyimipramine; D000082:Acetaminophen; D007099:Imipramine; D003891:Desipramine