A fatality involving two unusual compounds--zolpidem and acepromazine.
A fatality due to ingestion of zolpidem, a recently developed nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic, and acepromazine, a phenothiazine sedative used in veterinary practice, is reported. Both drugs were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. Zolpidem and acepromazine blood concentrations were 3.29 and 2.40 micrograms/ml, respectively. It is the first report of a death involving either of these two drugs. The results are discussed in the light of the existing literature and may suggest a reciprocal potentiation of the toxic effects of zolpidem and phenothiazines.
Tracqui
A
A
Institute of Legal Medicine, Strasbourg, France.
Kintz
P
P
Mangin
P
P
D000075:Acepromazine / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000652:urine; D000328:Adult; D001646:Bile / Q000737:chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003128:Coma / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000506:poisoning*; D007118:Immunoassay; D011725:Pyridines / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000652:urine; D013405:Suicide; D000077334:Zolpidem
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; D000075:Acepromazine; D000077334:Zolpidem