Two cases of fatal zopiclone overdose

J Anal Toxicol. 1996 Mar-Apr;20(2):131-3. doi: 10.1093/jat/20.2.131.

Abstract

Two cases of death due to the ingestion of zopiclone are presented. Quantitative determinations of zopiclone yielded 1.4-3.9 mg/L in the blood, 0.81 and 8.7 mg/kg in the liver, and 13.5 and 133 mg in the stomach contents. Drug concentrations were interpreted relative to the case findings, published data, and a limited evaluation of therapeutic concentrations found in two cases of therapeutic zopiclone use. Zopiclone was extracted from buffered blood or digested liver or both with n-butyl chloride and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Liver samples were digested at pH 7 to avoid zopiclone decomposition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Azabicyclo Compounds
  • Drug Overdose
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / poisoning*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Piperazines / blood
  • Piperazines / metabolism
  • Piperazines / poisoning*

Substances

  • Azabicyclo Compounds
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Piperazines
  • zopiclone