Fatal overdose after ingestion of a transdermal fentanyl patch in two non-human primates.
CASE HISTORY AND PRESENTATION: Two non-human primates (Macaca fascicularis), weight 3.5 kg, enrolled in an experimental protocol received a 25 μg hour(-1) transdermal fentanyl patch for postoperative analgesia. The following day both animals were clinically normal, but after a new induction of anaesthesia with ketamine, they developed severe and prolonged respiratory distress, profound coma and myosis. MANAGEMENT AND FOLLOW-UP: Attempted reversal with naloxone was ineffective. After several hours of ventilation, both primates eventually died, 7 and 15 hours after ketamine injection, respectively. In both cases, the patch was discovered in the animal's cheek pouch. Subsequent fentanyl serum concentration measurements (8.29 and 14.80 μg L(-1) ) confirmed fentanyl overdose.


CONCLUSIONS
This report of two fatal intoxications in non-human primates secondary to ingestion of a transdermal fentanyl patch demonstrates that this method of analgesia is inappropriate for non-human primates, because of their tendency to chew almost anything they can reach.
Emergency and Critical Care Unit, LUNAM University, ONIRIS, Nantes-Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering - La Chantrerie, Nantes, France. jack.deschamps@oniris-nantes.fr
Jack-Yves
JY
Deschamps
Jean-Michel
JM
Gaulier
Guillaume
G
Podevin
Yan
Y
Cherel
Nicolas
N
Ferry
Françoise A
FA
Roux
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning; D000818:Animals; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000473:pathology*; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000506:poisoning*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone; D005283:Fentanyl