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Citation |
Shkrum MJ, Hall AED, Tallon SG. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 1990; 23(1): 1-8. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 1990, Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Diphenhydramine (DPH) is an antihistamine available in many over-the-counter (OTC) products, particularly sleep-aids, and some prescription preparations. The number of reported poisonings and deaths have increased since the early 1980's. Sixteen fatalities occurred in Ontario from 1984-87 (eight additional cases from 1982-83 were reviewed). All were suicidal ingestions and the age range was 17-81 years (mean age 35 yrs). DPH was the only CNS depressant ingested (monoingestions) in four cases, all showing post mortem blood concentrations above the potentially fatal concentration (0.50 mg/100 mL). The remaining deaths involved DPH combined with ethanol and/or CNS depressant drugs and, compared to the monoingestion group, the average and minimum fatal DPH concentrations were lower. Five of these cases were at or below 0.50 mg/100 mL (range 0. 21-0.50 mg/100 mL). They were older than the average individuals and had significant cardiac disease. Sleep-aids dominated in the DPH deaths studied. Investigators should be aware of the possible role of DPH in suicidal and unexplained deaths. |