title: Use of tetrahydrozoline for chemical submission.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report two cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault which presented with CNS depression rendering the victims vulnerable to sexual assault and unable to recall the events surrounding the crimes. In each tetrahydrozoline (THZ) was quantified.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case #1 ingested an unknown amount of eye drops containing THZ mixed with alcoholic beverages. Case #1 presented to the emergency department (ED) approximately 7h after reportedly being sexually assaulted and was without symptoms in the ED. Earlier reports from individuals who saw her indicated the victim to be "heavily intoxicated". Case #2 also ingested an unknown amount of eye drops containing THZ mixed with alcoholic beverages. Case #2 presented to an ED without symptoms approximately 23h after reportedly being sexually assaulted. Urine obtained from both cases was assessed for THZ concentrations using gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case #1 had a 0.15g% (by weight by volume) urine ethanol concentration and a urinary THZ concentration of 1.481ng/ml, approximately 7h after ingestion. Case #2 was negative for ethanol but had a urine THZ concentration of 108ng/ml at 23h post-ingestion. Few case reports have been published documenting the use of THZ to facilitate sexual assault.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report two cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault involving the use of THZ where alcoholic beverages were concomitantly consumed. This is the first paper to our knowledge which discusses pharmacology of THZ ingestion and the significance of alcohol being present.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Toxicology Unit, Forensic Science Center, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Edmond, OK 73034, United States. matt.stillwell@osbi.ok.gov
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Stillwell
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Saady
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D000431:Ethanol / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D011902:Rape; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D007093:Imidazoles; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D000431:Ethanol; C005810:tetrahydrozoline