Fatal overdose of the herbicide bentazone.
A 59-year-old woman who intentionally ingested 100-200 ml Basagran was taken to the hospital with a cardiac arrest 2 days after she had consumed the herbicide. During this period she suffered vomiting, urination and diarrhoea and she was drowsy with a muddled speech. Biological samples obtained at the autopsy were analysed and presence of bentazone, alcohol and an active metabolite of citalopram were detected. Blood concentrations of bentazone, alcohol and desmethyl-citalopram were 625 mg/kg, 0.62 g/l and 0.03 mg/kg, respectively.
Müller
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IB
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. irene.breum@forensic.ku.dk
Willads Petersen
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H
Johansen
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Theilade
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P
D000090:Acetoacetates / Q000097:blood; D000096:Acetone / Q000097:blood; D001581:Benzothiadiazines / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000097:blood; D015283:Citalopram / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D062787:Drug Overdose; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006540:Herbicides / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D015394:Molecular Structure; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D012997:Solvents / Q000032:analysis; D013405:Suicide
D000090:Acetoacetates; D000096:Acetone; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D015283:Citalopram; D000431:Ethanol; D006540:Herbicides; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D012997:Solvents; C016635:acetoacetic acid; C002003:bentazone