title: Death due to benzhexol toxicity.
abstract: A rare case of death due to benzhexol toxicity is reported in a 48-year-old schizophrenic male with a resolving empyema and underlying patchy, mild bronchopneumonia. Toxicological analysis revealed the benzhexol blood and liver concentrations to be 0.12 mg/l and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively. Gastric contents contained 0.4 mg of benzhexol. Other drugs were not detected. It is suggested that for fatalities to occur following benzhexol intoxication, secondary contributory factors, which probably further alter the patient's conscious state, are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, Monash University, Australia.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Drummer
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Landgren
mesh_terms: D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D002423:Cause of Death; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000473:pathology*; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005476:Fluphenazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D014282:Trihexyphenidyl / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014282:Trihexyphenidyl; C011825:fluphenazine depot; D005476:Fluphenazine