Fatality due to ingestion of tramadol alone

Forensic Sci Int. 2001 Feb 15;116(2-3):197-9. doi: 10.1016/s0379-0738(00)00374-1.

Abstract

A rare case of a fatal intoxication in an adult with tramadol alone is reported. In the peripheral blood, tramadol was measured in a concentration of 9.6 mg/l exceeded at least 30-times the normal therapeutic range of 0.1-0.3 mg/l. The concentration of tramadol in liver and kidney, in relation to blood, failed to suggest a major sequestration of drug in either specimen which is consistent with the volume of distribution of 3 l/kg. The concentration of tramadol in the heart and peripheral blood specimens did not suggest a major difference (ratio of 1.36). Similar to morphine tramadol was accumulated significantly in the bile.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Opioid / analysis
  • Analgesics, Opioid / metabolism
  • Analgesics, Opioid / poisoning*
  • Autopsy* / methods
  • Cause of Death*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Drug Overdose
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Kidney / chemistry
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Male
  • Myocardium / chemistry
  • Suicide
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Tramadol / analysis
  • Tramadol / metabolism
  • Tramadol / poisoning*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Tramadol