Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Author Spotlight: An Efficient Methodology to Confidently Differentiate and Characterize Fentanyl Analogs
10:13

Author Spotlight: An Efficient Methodology to Confidently Differentiate and Characterize Fentanyl Analogs

Published on: November 8, 2024

2.1K

Fatal oral methylphenidate intoxication with postmortem concentrations

Frank Lee Cantrell1, Patricia Ogera, Phyllis Mallett

  • 1California Poison Control System, San Diego Division, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, 92103-8925, CA; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California San Francisco, 521 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, 94117, CA.

Journal of Forensic Sciences
|February 8, 2014
PubMed

Insights

This study reports the first documented fatality solely from methylphenidate (MPD) ingestion. Analysis confirmed elevated MPD levels, suggesting a potential risk even in isolated cases.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Methylphenidate (MPD) is a common stimulant prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • While MPD overdose attempts are known, fatalities exclusively due to MPD have not been previously documented.

Observation:

  • A 62-year-old woman was discovered deceased with a significant quantity of missing MPD tablets (>300 x 10 mg).
  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detected elevated MPD concentrations in postmortem peripheral and central blood, liver, and vitreous humor.

Findings:

  • Postmortem redistribution analysis indicated MPD does not undergo significant redistribution (central/peripheral blood ratio: 0.89; liver/peripheral blood ratio: 3.3).
  • No other cause of death was identified.

Implications:

  • This case represents the first reported fatality attributed solely to isolated methylphenidate ingestion.
  • Highlights the potential for lethal outcomes with high-dose MPD consumption, even without other contributing factors.
Keywords:
forensic scienceforensic toxicologyingestionmethylphenidateoral

More Related Videos

Color Spot Test As a Presumptive Tool for the Rapid Detection of Synthetic Cathinones06:06

Color Spot Test As a Presumptive Tool for the Rapid Detection of Synthetic Cathinones

Published on: February 5, 2018

26.5K
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia13:13

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia

Published on: August 24, 2011

13.6K

Related Concept Videos

Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions01:24

Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions

Drug toxicities can be stratified into pharmacological, pathological, or genotoxic based on their mechanisms. The incidence and severity of these toxicities generally increase with the drug's concentration in the body and exposure time.Pharmacological toxicity is evident when the therapeutic effects of drugs overshoot into adverse reactions in a predictable, dose-dependent manner. Central nervous system (CNS) depression from barbiturates is a classic example, with effects escalating from...
229
Toxidromes: Clinical Features01:30

Toxidromes: Clinical Features

Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...
175
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios

Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
116
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies

Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
279
Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions01:17

Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions

Methylation is a phase II biotransformation process involving the attachment of a methyl group to a substrate. Enzymes known as methyltransferases orchestrate this reaction.
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
915
Drug Toxicity: Overview01:00

Drug Toxicity: Overview

Drug toxicity quantifies the harm a compound causes to an organism, varying by dose and potentially impacting whole systems or specific organs like the liver. Toxic reactions may arise from venomous insect or spider bites, with effects ranging from mild symptoms to severe outcomes such as brain damage or death. Common forms of acute poisoning include ethanol intoxication and overdose of pain or fever medications, with substances like GHB and heroin being particularly lethal at doses close to...
295