Chlorprothixene and chlorprothixene-sulfoxide in body fluids from a case of drug overdose

A case of fatal drug overdose involving chlorprothixene is presented. Chlorprothixene and chlorprothixene sulfoxide (CPT-SO) metabolite concentrations (mg/L) in body fluids as determined by spectrophotofluorometry were: blood, 0.10 and 0.60; bile, 3.9 and 7.0; urine, 0.4 and 3.4; and stomach contents, 340 mg and 25 mg total, respectively. Qualitative identification of chlorprothixene and CPT-SO was by thin layer and gas liquid chromatography and spectrophotofluorometry following alkaline permanganate oxidation.