Detection and quantification of the hypnotic zopiclone, connected with an uncommon case of drowning.
A fatality, attributed to a suicidal ingestion of zopiclone and subsequent death by drowning, is described. A radioimmunoassay was performed to prescreen for the presence of the analyte. HPLC analysis with fluorescence detection demonstrated a testicular tissue concentration of 2.2 micrograms/g zopiclone. Further toxicological analysis revealed also the presence of diazepam in a concentration of 150 ng/g.
Mannaert
E
E
Laboratory of Toxicology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Tytgat
J
J
Daenens
P
P
D000328:Adult; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004332:Drowning; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013405:Suicide; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry
D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010879:Piperazines; C515050:zopiclone