Two cases of fatal intoxication due to tranylcypromine overdose

Two cases of death following the ingestion of tranylcypromine are presented. High concentrations of tranylcypromine were determined in blood, urine, and liver by gas-liquid chromatography. Tranylcypromine was extracted from buffered blood with n-butyl chloride. The evaporated extract was derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride and analyzed by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus selective detection. The method was linear in blood over the range 0.5-20 mg/L with a limit of quantitation of about 0.2 mg/L.