Moclobemide fatalities: report of two cases and analytical determinations by GC-MS and HPLC-PDA after solid-phase extraction.
We have described a rapid and simple solid-phase extraction on C18 cartridges of moclobemide suitable for the analysis of post-mortem whole blood and urine. The methods used for identification were GC-MS and HPLC-PDA. Quantification was performed by the HPLC-PDA technique with detection at 238 nm. The limit of detection was 0.012 microgram/ml in blood. A between-day precision study gave relative standard deviations which were always less than 4.7% over the entire range of calibration (0.2 to 20.0 micrograms/ml). The method was applied in a case of moclobemide overdose due to a deliberate ingestion of 4.5 g of the drug. A second case concerned a polyintoxication including moclobemide as one of the main toxins. The post-mortem whole blood concentrations were 15.5 and 13.8 micrograms/ml respectively. Determination of the drug in other biological specimens is also reported.
Gaillard
Y
Y
Laboratoire d'Expertises TOXLAB, Paris, France.
Pépin
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001549:Benzamides / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D002423:Cause of Death; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020912:Moclobemide; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D013405:Suicide
D001549:Benzamides; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D020912:Moclobemide