Fatal hepatic failure following accidental tramadol overdose.
A case of fatal overdose of tramadol is described, occurring in a 67-year-old man with painful rib fractures who accidentally ingested more than the recommended daily dose. The mode of death was acute liver failure due to fulminant hepatic necrosis. Post-mortem toxicology was negative apart from revealing a blood tramadol concentration well above the normal therapeutic range. This is the first report of fatal tramadol ingestion occurring in a therapeutic setting and also the first tramadol-related death where the mechanism was liver failure.
Loughrey
M B
MB
Department of Pathology, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, BT9 7AD Belfast, UK.
Loughrey
C M
CM
Johnston
S
S
O'Rourke
D
D
D000059:Accidents; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D014147:Tramadol / Q000506:poisoning*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014147:Tramadol