Citalopram concentrations in samples from autopsies and living persons

Int J Legal Med. 1998;111(4):188-90. doi: 10.1007/s004140050147.

Abstract

Concentrations of citalopram in medicolegal samples from 92 autopsies and 27 living persons are described. In autopsy cases in which citalopram alone was the cause of death, concentrations ranged from 2.0 to 6.2 mg/kg whole blood. In autopsy cases in which citalopram together with other substances was considered to be the cause of death, the concentrations of citalopram ranged from 0.6 to 5.2 mg/kg whole blood. In autopsy cases toxic concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 0.9 mg/kg whole blood and therapeutic concentrations from 0.03 to 0.6 mg/kg whole blood. In samples from living persons the concentrations of citalopram in whole blood were 0.02 to 0.3 mg/kg.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Autopsy / methods*
  • Citalopram / analogs & derivatives
  • Citalopram / pharmacology
  • Citalopram / poisoning*
  • Denmark
  • Drug Overdose / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / poisoning*

Substances

  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Citalopram