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A diflunisal related fatality: a case report
B Levine1, D F Smyth, Y H Caplan
1Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland, Baltimore 21201.
Forensic Science International
|September 1, 1987
Summary
This case report details a fatal diflunisal overdose. Postmortem analysis confirmed high diflunisal levels in multiple organs, highlighting its toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Diflunisal is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain relief.
- Information regarding fatal diflunisal overdose is scarce in existing literature.
Observation:
- A case of death following diflunisal ingestion is presented.
- Analytical methods including liquid chromatography, UV spectrophotometry, and colorimetry were used for identification.
Findings:
- Diflunisal was quantified in postmortem samples: blood (260 mg/l), bile (71 mg/l), kidney (350 mg/kg), liver (400 mg/kg), stomach contents (34 mg), and urine (78 mg/l).
- These concentrations indicate significant systemic absorption and distribution.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential lethality of diflunisal overdose.
- Highlights the importance of analytical toxicology in confirming drug-related fatalities.
- Contributes to the limited understanding of diflunisal toxicity profiles.