TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1988//
TI  - An apparent fatal valproic acid poisoning
JO  - Journal of analytical toxicology
A1  - Lokan, R. J.
A1  - Dinan, A. C.
SP  - 35
EP  - 37
VL  - 12
IS  - 1
N2  - While extensive data on therapeutic concentrations of valproic acid in plasma exist, data on toxic or fatal levels are very limited and superficial, interpretation of isolated blood levels obtained post-mortem is therefore a difficult task. A case of sudden death is described here. The circumstances are known and strongly indicate a fatal, suicidal poisoning by valproic acid at a dose of 56.4 g. Valproic acid was quantified in tissues by gas chromatography, and its identity confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The tissue concentrations found post-mortem were as follows: blood 720 mg/L; liver 800 mg/kg; stomach contents 1700 mg. Phenobarbitone and propoxyphene were also present at therapeutic concentrations. This data should provide a useful reference for interpretive purposes.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0146-4760
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -