Methamphetamine overdose and fatality : 2 cases report

Methamphetamine abuse is an important problem in Thailand. The number of addicts and abusers is increasing. Abusers usually use speed pills by oral ingestion or inhalation. The dose used is about 5-60 mg of methamphetamine while the lethal dose reported is 200 mg. Death due to methamphetamine toxicity is uncommon. In this paper, we report two cases of methamphetamine fatalities. Both cases were drug dealers. They swallowed a handful of methamphetamine tablets while being arrested. The autopsy revealed nonspecific findings. Using thin layer chromatography technique, methamphetamine was detected in the urine, blood, stomach and liver of the corpses. This circumstance has been reported elsewhere and might be increased in Thailand as more speed pills are circulated in illegal markets.